RECENT MONTHS have witnessed fib after fib being shoved down the Malaysian-men-in the-street's throats so much so any foreigner based in NegaraKu -- like expatriate workers and foreign diplomats -- would think many of these fibbers take the audience as kindergarten kids.
* Saiful Bukhari meeting the DPM without any appointment at his residence to pour out his personal woes one evening, and soon after went back to one purported meet at a condo -- one last time for old times' sake?
* You swear using a Quran in a mosque -- and that means the swearer is innocent of any wrongdoing/crime? WoW, why do we need any courts -- all Malaysians need are Bibles in churches around every street corner, cockerels in all Chinese or other ethnic clans' temples down the street where criminals roam at every corner.
* Our petrol at the pump would have its price raised because of tremendous jumps in world oil prices, says the caring BN Government. But I thought Malaysia is a producer of oil, and it is a net exporter too, and also our exported crudes are sweeter and hence command premium prices.
* The 5o-odd members of Parliament went for a "study" trip when two days before departure, THEY DID NOT EVEN KNOW THEIR DESTINATION. Yeah, nothing to do with 916! Yeah, the Leader said no RM50,000 given to every tripper. Mayhaps he was telling the truth for once. The figure should read with another ZERO! -- but that was a FIB created by Pakatan Rakyat leaders. Jeles wan! as Bloggers would shout.
***** But this latest FIB BY THE REMOTE HOME MINISTER must surely make the Said Hermit's nose beat Pinocchio's nose by a metre! No?/ Yes?/ Unmeasurable!
Desi is very democratic wan nowadays, so take your pick or pickle. Just don't slay the chicken out da way out from thy cell. And don't drop the cellphone, it may light up the C4! And Guy Fawkes Day is not due for another two months.
Oh! VVe don't celebrate colonial festivals -- vve are fully liberated from those British masters. VVe are so blessed with such caring UMNO masters of all they survey -- ah, this is DESI'S FIB.
+++++++ ++++++++ +++++++
"Syed Hamid said the police had detained Tan because they had received information that her life was being threatened and there might be possible injury to her and the police wanted to get to the bottom of it."
******* ******** ********
Tomorrow I must go to the CONfesional. It is quite fashionable nowadays. Place your hand over the Bible, and ...
The ham BUGGER told Malaysians up front, NO, he did not order Ms Tan's, Mr Kok's and RPK's arrests. The super efficient and super independent polis did it.
I must remember to tell this unique fib to Mindful and Ancient mariners!:):) I am marinating the lambs from the slaughter at Lingam's. The former Chief Justice may even deside to hop onto our SHIP/Sheep for a ride down Furong Ribber. Rib rimes well wit' Fib.
May the GOoD Lord save us from such caring and daring miniSTERS.
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Journalist freed, was held because her life threatened, cops tell Syed Hamid
2nd UPDATE
By Shannon Teoh, The Malaysian Insider
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 13 - Sin Chew journalist Tan Hoon Cheng was released at 2.30pm today.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar said this at a press conference at the Bukit Aman police headquarters.
"She made the first report so we had to get to the bottom of it and we received information that her life was under threat," he said.
He added that blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin and Seputeh MP Teresa Kok would continue to be held for investigations and if there was no reason to hold them, that they would be released within the 60 days allowed for by the Internal Security Act.
He explained that RPK had been held after being given sufficient warning but continued to "create tension" while DAP's Kok had touched on sensitive issues, that is the azan call to prayer.
Kok has since denied this allegation that was originally put forward by Umno's former Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohamed Khir Toyo.
Syed Hamid insisted also that the move was not political and it was purely thedecision of the police.
"I can tell you that the police need not refer to me. Under Section 73(1) it is under their discretion but they will let me know.
"I think there has not been any malice on their part. We have acted within the law," he said, adding also that if he interfered in police action, people would say there is a political motive.
"Each one of us have our own logical explanation but none of us, whether we are reporters or editors, we are not above the law," he said when asked why Tan but not Datuk Ahmad Ismail, whose statement she had reported on, was picked up.
"Ahmad has been punished as a party member and suspended for three years. At the same time there is a report against him for sedition, so we are not treating politicians differently."
He, however, said that there was no logical link between the ISA action and opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's Sept 16 plan to take over the federal government as claimed by some quarters.
When asked if there would be more arrests as it was reminiscent of 1987's Operasi Lalang, he quipped, "Is it? Let me know if there is," and insisted that "so far, there are no other arrests".
He also scoffed at suggestions that the country would be put under a state of emergency.
"The arrests are about public order. We do get information from members of the public who feel unsafe, so we have to take preventive measures."
When asked if similar action would be taken if members of the public came forward to say they felt they were under threat due to the statements by Ahmad or Khir or any other politician, he called the question one that was racial in nature.
"At present everything we are doing, we are looking at it from an ethnic angle. Khir Toyo is a Malay, Ahmad Ismail is a Malay, we arrest Chinese...We should start to think as Malaysians. Even me, if I'm considered a threat, the police are free to take action against me."
Bernama adds that in BUKIT MERTAJAM, Sin Chew Daily reporter Tan defended her report on alleged racist remarks made by Ahmad.
Tan, 33, said the report was done in a professional manner and was based on what she heard on the night the remarks were made.
"I just write what I heard," she told reporters at her house here after being released today.
Yesterday, Tan was detained under the ISA at her home in Taman Alma about 8.40pm over the controversial report.
Tan said she was treated well by the police during the 17 hours in custody.
"My thanks to everybody including the police who treated me in a very good and professional way," she said.
"I could not sleep but the police treated me well, no problem," she said, adding that the incident will not deter her from carrying out her duties.
*******************************
From thestar.com.my:
Saturday September 13, 2008
'Order to arrest did not come from me'
By SHAHANAAZ HABIB and ANDREW SAGAYAM
KUALA LUMPUR: Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid said he did not order the arrests of the three people under the Internal Security Act (ISA.
He said the action was taken by the police themselves under Section 73(1) based on their assessment of the current situation as they had “strong and good reason” to believe that conflict could happen and public order could be jeopardised.
“Under this action, the police need not refer to me. It’s their discretion and their assessment of what happened. There has been no malice on their part,” he said Saturday at a press conference at Bukit Aman here.
As Home Minister he said he was informed of the police decision but did not interfere with it.
Asked if he thought the police action was justified, Syed Hamid said: “If I start to interfere with the administration of enforcement then it’s difficult.”
“I am a minister. I am a politician. If I start to interfere, then people will say I have a political motive. It will send the wrong signals. I cannot interfere. This has to be done in accordance with the police exercise of their powers,” he said.
Syed Hamid said the police had taken strong notice that there was concern on the ground among the public who felt not so safe as the race issue might result in open conflict and racial fights and some people were even stocking up food.
“People may agree or disagree with the police position but they are in the best position to judge and I think they have done exactly that,” he said denying that the ISA arrests had nothing to do with the Sept 16 date set by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to take over the government.
He said the current move was not a political move but due to a national threat.
On Friday, the police arrested Malaysia Today editor Raja Petra Kamaruddin, Seputeh MP and Kinrara assemblyman Teresa Kok and Sin Chew Daily reporter Tan Hoon Cheng under the ISA.
Tan was released Saturday afternoon.
Syed Hamid said the police had detained Tan because they had received information that her life was being threatened and there might be possible injury to her and the police wanted to get to the bottom of it.
Tan was the reporter who first reported on Bukit Bendera Umno division chief Datuk Ahmad Ismail’s allegedly racist comments during the Permatang Pauh by-election in which he said the Chinese were “squatters” in the country.
This caused a furore among the non-Malays and led to Umno giving him a three-year suspension for his comments and actions.
Syed Hamid said the police thought it was best to get first-hand information from Tan and thus took her in under the ISA and released her a day later after they got the necessary information and found no reason to hold her.
“I don’t think we are being unfair or that we mistreated her in any way. We acted professionally and after a day released her,” he said, when asked if Tan had posed a security threat in any way.
Asked why the police did not just ask Tan to come in for questioning instead of arresting her, Syed Hamid said it was always difficult when it came to the police when dealing with reporters.
“All of us are subject to the law. When the police feel it is best to bring the person in under ISA, they do so. I think the most important thing is not to exercise unfairness. When they got what they wanted and found they had no reason to hold her and that she’s not a security threat and not disturbing public order, they released her immediately,” he said.
On Raja Petra, he said, the blogger had been given numerous warnings as well as been charged but he continued to create tension.
As for Kok, he said, she had supposedly questioned the sensitive issues such as the azan (call for prayers for Muslims) to be stopped and that could cause ill will and disharmony.
“Based on police work, they have found there has been real fear on the ground because people are worried of what can possibly happen,” he said.
On why Ahmad was not detained for making racist comments, he explained that Umno had already punished him by suspending him for three years and stripping him from the party post while the police was also still investigating a sedition report against him.
When asked why action was not taken against other politicians like Datuk Seri Khir Toyo for racist remarks made, he said people should stop looking at things from an ethnic angle and start thinking as Malaysians.
To a question, Syed Hamid said he did not believe the Government would call a state of emergency because the country was well under control and “we have taken all sorts of preventive measures.”
Related stories:
No more arrests: Syed Hamid
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Friday, September 12, 2008
A Nightmare Begins...
Civil societies in general, and Bloggers in particular, have had their worst nightmare coming true ... with reference to the concerns expressed via a *****Joint Press Statement on September 9, 2008 by AllBlogs and CPI that the Government might use the ISA to arrest and detain Raja Petra Kamarudin. This is a nightmare just beginning to silence critics who have always been exercising the Freedom of Expression with responsibility on national issues.
I received an SMS from budder blogger Bernard Khoo aka zorro that reads: "RPK arrested isa. Police in house now.Pass message." 12 Sept-2008 13.29:49
Let's show our Solidarity in Bloggersworld.
Will post Update when Zorro reports the happenings in progress...~~ YL, Desi
***** Reprised:
Joint Press Statement by National Alliance of Bloggers and Centre for Policy Initiatives
SOS on Raja Petra Kamarudin to Fellow Malaysians
During the last few days there has been an ominous and increasing crescendo of messages – written and verbal – indicating the imminent arrest and detention of fellow blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin under the Internal Security Act (ISA).
We hope that the Government is not contemplating this action. To alleviate the widespread public uproar and concern – national and international – that this shortsighted action will precipitate, we call on the authorities that may be planning this action to take heed of this SOS; to immediately cease all targeting of Raja Petra through the ISA or any other repressive measure; and to come out instead with an assurance that
1. no such ISA order is being envisaged to be served on Raja Petra
2. Raja Petra is free to continue his writings on the vital matters affecting the country
3. the draconian legislation of the ISA will not be used on Raja Petra or any other Malaysian blogger to punish them for their dissenting views and opinions.
In our view - and if the Government should care to undertake an independent survey, in the view of the great majority of Malaysians and non-Malaysians - Raja Petra in no way poses a threat to the country’s peace and security. Rather, he poses a threat to those individuals and organizations that he perceives as engaging in unconscionable and dastardly acts and activities that are bringing ruin to the nation. Many Malaysians too are of the opinion that his website contains some of the most incisive analysis on the ills that beset our nation. Further attempts to take down his website or to shackle his freedom of expression is not only an attack on a fearless, principled and ethical patriot but they will also be construed as an attempt to restrict our freedom of information and expression, a move that will take the country further down the road of authoritarianism.
While we respect the right to freedom of speech and information, we also advise all Bloggers and other online writers to exercise the same high ethical standards expected of journalists in the traditional media. We do not condone lies and malice in the Internet and should not only stand by what we write - we must be able to defend the truth of what we write.
We emphasise that in our view the current laws pertaining to Sedition and Defamation apply equally to print and online media and should be deterrent enough to check "irresponsible" writings. Hence we urge that there be no resort to a draconian law such as the Internal Security Act to hold peace-loving Malaysian writers to ransom.
A democratic government should not for one moment entertain - let alone pursue - the charges that have been leveled against Raja Petra. To isolate those forces in the system that are bent on using the repressive instruments of the state against various opponents for their own benefit, we call on
1. all fair-minded and honest leaders from the Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat parties to speak out - privately and publicly - against any attempt to use the ISA against Raja Petra;
2. component parties of the Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat to publicly oppose any intended incarceration of Raja Petra under the ISA;
3. civil society, professional and other organizations and private individuals to demand that the Government guarantees Raja Petra’s freedom of expression and undertakes not to use the ISA against him now or in the future.
We hope that good sense will prevail in our country’s leadership. Any act of repression against Raja Petra especially at this particular time will not go unquestioned or unanswered. We are confident that hundreds of thousands - if not millions of Malaysians – will stand firmly to make their dissenting views known should the Government choose to silence Raja Petra through the use of the ISA.
Statement released by
Ahirudin Attan Interim President, National Alliance of Bloggers (AllBlogs)
Dr Lim Teck Ghee, Director, Centre for Policy Initiatives.
Kuala Lumpur, 9 September 2008
_______________________________________________________
From dinmerican.wordpress.com, a confirmation about the ISA action in progress:
Syabas to Badawi: You have shot yourself in the foot again
12
09
2008
September 12, 2008
BREAKING NEWS: FREEDOM under Threat.
I have just received (at 1.24 pm) a call from Raja Sara that her Dad, Raja Petra Kamaruddin, has been taken in under ISA and that their Police are at their residence. Dato Ahmad Ismail, UMNO Bukit Bendera Division Chief, gets away with a 3-year suspension for his racist remarks with intent to incite unrest, and Raja Petra gets the ISA for being “a threat to national security”(?). This makes a mockery of the Rule of Law.
Who is behind this? If it is Najib and Syed Hamid are behind this move on Raja Petra, then I can only conclude that Badawi has lost control of his own government and he himself is under siege.— Din Merican
____________________________
UPDATED from a post at malaysia-today.net, quoting an AP report:
M'sia's Raja Petra arrested
Posted by kasee
Friday, 12 September 2008 14:47
Online commentator Raja Petra Raja Kamarudin has increasingly infuriated authorities by publishing numerous claims about alleged wrongdoings by government leaders on his popular site, Malaysia Today. -- PHOTO: BHM
(The Straits Times) KUALA LUMPUR - THE wife of Malaysia's top anti-government blogger says police have arrested him under a law allowing indefinite detention without trial.
Online commentator Raja Petra Raja Kamarudin has increasingly infuriated authorities by publishing numerous claims about alleged wrongdoings by government leaders on his popular site, Malaysia Today.
The government has denounced most of Raja Petra's allegations as lies.
Raja Petra's wife, Marina Lee Abdullah, said police came to their home on Friday to serve an arrest warrant on him.
Mdm Marina said police informed them he was being arrested under the Internal Security Act, a widely criticised law used against suspects regarded as national security threats.
Government and police officials could not immediately be contacted. -- AP
I received an SMS from budder blogger Bernard Khoo aka zorro that reads: "RPK arrested isa. Police in house now.Pass message." 12 Sept-2008 13.29:49
Let's show our Solidarity in Bloggersworld.
Will post Update when Zorro reports the happenings in progress...~~ YL, Desi
***** Reprised:
Joint Press Statement by National Alliance of Bloggers and Centre for Policy Initiatives
SOS on Raja Petra Kamarudin to Fellow Malaysians
During the last few days there has been an ominous and increasing crescendo of messages – written and verbal – indicating the imminent arrest and detention of fellow blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin under the Internal Security Act (ISA).
We hope that the Government is not contemplating this action. To alleviate the widespread public uproar and concern – national and international – that this shortsighted action will precipitate, we call on the authorities that may be planning this action to take heed of this SOS; to immediately cease all targeting of Raja Petra through the ISA or any other repressive measure; and to come out instead with an assurance that
1. no such ISA order is being envisaged to be served on Raja Petra
2. Raja Petra is free to continue his writings on the vital matters affecting the country
3. the draconian legislation of the ISA will not be used on Raja Petra or any other Malaysian blogger to punish them for their dissenting views and opinions.
In our view - and if the Government should care to undertake an independent survey, in the view of the great majority of Malaysians and non-Malaysians - Raja Petra in no way poses a threat to the country’s peace and security. Rather, he poses a threat to those individuals and organizations that he perceives as engaging in unconscionable and dastardly acts and activities that are bringing ruin to the nation. Many Malaysians too are of the opinion that his website contains some of the most incisive analysis on the ills that beset our nation. Further attempts to take down his website or to shackle his freedom of expression is not only an attack on a fearless, principled and ethical patriot but they will also be construed as an attempt to restrict our freedom of information and expression, a move that will take the country further down the road of authoritarianism.
While we respect the right to freedom of speech and information, we also advise all Bloggers and other online writers to exercise the same high ethical standards expected of journalists in the traditional media. We do not condone lies and malice in the Internet and should not only stand by what we write - we must be able to defend the truth of what we write.
We emphasise that in our view the current laws pertaining to Sedition and Defamation apply equally to print and online media and should be deterrent enough to check "irresponsible" writings. Hence we urge that there be no resort to a draconian law such as the Internal Security Act to hold peace-loving Malaysian writers to ransom.
A democratic government should not for one moment entertain - let alone pursue - the charges that have been leveled against Raja Petra. To isolate those forces in the system that are bent on using the repressive instruments of the state against various opponents for their own benefit, we call on
1. all fair-minded and honest leaders from the Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat parties to speak out - privately and publicly - against any attempt to use the ISA against Raja Petra;
2. component parties of the Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat to publicly oppose any intended incarceration of Raja Petra under the ISA;
3. civil society, professional and other organizations and private individuals to demand that the Government guarantees Raja Petra’s freedom of expression and undertakes not to use the ISA against him now or in the future.
We hope that good sense will prevail in our country’s leadership. Any act of repression against Raja Petra especially at this particular time will not go unquestioned or unanswered. We are confident that hundreds of thousands - if not millions of Malaysians – will stand firmly to make their dissenting views known should the Government choose to silence Raja Petra through the use of the ISA.
Statement released by
Ahirudin Attan Interim President, National Alliance of Bloggers (AllBlogs)
Dr Lim Teck Ghee, Director, Centre for Policy Initiatives.
Kuala Lumpur, 9 September 2008
_______________________________________________________
From dinmerican.wordpress.com, a confirmation about the ISA action in progress:
Syabas to Badawi: You have shot yourself in the foot again
12
09
2008
September 12, 2008
BREAKING NEWS: FREEDOM under Threat.
I have just received (at 1.24 pm) a call from Raja Sara that her Dad, Raja Petra Kamaruddin, has been taken in under ISA and that their Police are at their residence. Dato Ahmad Ismail, UMNO Bukit Bendera Division Chief, gets away with a 3-year suspension for his racist remarks with intent to incite unrest, and Raja Petra gets the ISA for being “a threat to national security”(?). This makes a mockery of the Rule of Law.
Who is behind this? If it is Najib and Syed Hamid are behind this move on Raja Petra, then I can only conclude that Badawi has lost control of his own government and he himself is under siege.— Din Merican
____________________________
UPDATED from a post at malaysia-today.net, quoting an AP report:
M'sia's Raja Petra arrested
Posted by kasee
Friday, 12 September 2008 14:47
Online commentator Raja Petra Raja Kamarudin has increasingly infuriated authorities by publishing numerous claims about alleged wrongdoings by government leaders on his popular site, Malaysia Today. -- PHOTO: BHM
(The Straits Times) KUALA LUMPUR - THE wife of Malaysia's top anti-government blogger says police have arrested him under a law allowing indefinite detention without trial.
Online commentator Raja Petra Raja Kamarudin has increasingly infuriated authorities by publishing numerous claims about alleged wrongdoings by government leaders on his popular site, Malaysia Today.
The government has denounced most of Raja Petra's allegations as lies.
Raja Petra's wife, Marina Lee Abdullah, said police came to their home on Friday to serve an arrest warrant on him.
Mdm Marina said police informed them he was being arrested under the Internal Security Act, a widely criticised law used against suspects regarded as national security threats.
Government and police officials could not immediately be contacted. -- AP
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Is Someone Speaking Out of Turn?
STRANGE THINGS ARE BEGINNING TO RISE UP LIKE FLOTSAM AFTER A TSUNAMIC UPHEAVAL
ON THE MALAYSIAN POLITICAL LANDSCAPE. ARE THERE SOME PUPPETEER/S PULLING DANGEROUS
STRINGS?
And rendering the Sandiwara on the PWTC Stage now a DANGEROUS REALITY PLAYING FIELD?
I'm afraid. Very afraid. Fellow Malaysians must keep alert about some sinister puppeteer/s behind the acts of madhatters Penang Bukit Bendera UMNO chief Ahmad Ismail, one-time coffee-maker now bigtime UMNO youthfool lackey Saiful Bukhari, and some more actors and actresses waiting in the wings before the fateful September 16 and September 16+1, +2, or +3 runs its course?
Pray hard and sincerely the GOoD Lord watch over NegaraKU that its peace-loving citizens prevail over the evil ones lurking behind the bendera or on vacation overseas using the loot syphoned off Petronas' oil dollars by tycoons and now gifted back via some "philantropisssed" UMNO-crony WITH A CONSCIENCE, how lucky can BN BBC get! May God save us from such benevolent philan...deres! I urge my fellow ER to bow our heads in aMore prayers, BUT WITH EYES OPEN WIDE LIKE A HAWK'S!
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From the Star Online:
Wednesday September 10, 2008
Act against those who raise racial issues, says Armed Forces chief
By IZATUN SHARI
KUALA LUMPUR: Armed Forces chief Jeneral Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Zainal has proposed that the Government take stern action against those who stoke racial sentiments, the country’s main security threat.
“Racial issues are the most feared by security forces as they can lead to chaos. They are a security threat,” he said at the Wanita Umno Hari Raya contribution event to the Armed Forces and the police at the Putra World Trade Centre here yesterday.
“We are aware of such matters and they should be avoided. I would like to propose to the Government to take stern action against those who raise racial issues.
“That is the reality in our country. When racial issues are raised, it becomes our main threat.”
Speaking at the same event, Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar said street politics were under control.
He added that the police force was in a state of readiness to face any occurrence.
“We are ready to work day and night, rain or shine, without food or drink to ward off such threats,” he said.
The country’s rapid development would be jeopardised if there was chaos and instability, he added.
************************************
UPDATEd @6.27AM, after Desi had a GOoD rest and remembers there is a need to stress the following point:
While the mainstream media -- I refer to the English newspapers and the TV newtworks and I believe it appplies across the board for other language mediums in MSM -- focused a lot on Ahmad Ismail and Barisan Nasional reactions, I think there was hardly any pickup from the sane voices from Civil Society groups. I spied some coverage in theSun -- kudos to theSun teAm there trying its best to fill some of the void -- that the core issues were not given due attention, and there is danger of the citizenry being fed only certain aspects of the political "noise" which may reside questionable political agenda.
To fill more of the "void" I mentioned earlier, here's an extract from cpiasia.net of what I believe is an important statement that helps us see the forest for the trees. If you know not what this preceding metaphor means, please attend my Sunday's rumination classes. If you ask Where,one of the key 5Ws +1H of press writing, my answer is: Ask the same 5Ws plus wan H-LOL!
Joint Press Statement (WAMI)
Press Statements
Written by WAMI
Tuesday, 09 September 2008 20:03
Written by Writer Alliance for Media Independence ?WAMI?
Joint Press Statement on 9th September 2008
No Sedition Act – Rationality Needs to Prevail in Ahmad Ismail Case
We, the undersigned civil society groups, oppose the use of the Sedition Act on Ahmad Ismail, Chief of UMNO Bukit Bendera for his alleged racist remarks. The use of the Sedition Act legitimizes the draconian act which has long been condemned by civil society and opposition parties. Rather than use it to further curb the freedom of expression – whoever the accused - the UMNO politician and his colleagues who backed him with more racist statements should be made to pay his price politically.
We condemn Ahmad Ismail and Penang UMNO for their efforts to shift the blame for the episode and its aftermath onto the journalist who reported the alleged inflammatory statements. In the process they have aroused ethnic sentiments in the press conferences held on Sept 6 and 8. Most shockingly, Penang Opposition Leader Datuk Azhar Ibrahim was quoted to have said of the journalist, "What was written may lead to a racial riot. If such a thing happens, he is the first person that should be shot." This is a thinly-veiled threat of violence. If the reporting had been wrong, why should Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak who was present when Ahmad Ismail gave his speech apologize for a fabricated report? And if there is any doubt of the contents of his original speech, the explicitly racist nature of the subsequent remarks by Ahmad Ismail and his other colleagues in the two press conferences has confirmed their nasty intention.
We should however realize that exclusivist and hate speech - whether targeted on the basis of ethnicity, religion, gender, lifestyle or other grounds - is inevitable in any society and cannot be eliminated through laws. Unless we are in an emergency situation and confronted by individuals or groups inciting violence on racial grounds, there is no justification for legally policing and penalizing speech and expression. The only remedy to hate speech is the use of reason and to uphold the freedom of expression. When the society is mature, bigots like Ahmad Ismail – and their party if it refuses to penalize them - will be automatically punished by voters.
We urge Malaysians to be rational and to confront ethnocentric politicians by engaging them with rigorous and open debate. Resorting to legal means to censor speeches is unwittingly playing into the hands of those in the Government who seek to manipulate the "sensitive issue" paradigm to curb public discourse and political participation. It will also show that we as a society are intellectually incapable of refuting flawed rhetoric whatever the source.
Our stand on the case of Ahmad Ismail is consistent with that we have taken towards recent similar cases impacting on our freedom of speech and expression, notably the cases relating to forum disruption, book banning and website blocking. We reiterate the need to form a Parliamentary Select Committee to reform all freedom of speech and information and media-related laws including the Sedition Act. This is the only way we may mature as a society and fend off bigotry. We urge all Malaysians who oppose ethnic politics to endorse the 2008 Memorandum for Media Freedom at www.benar.org.
Through our measured and rational response, Malaysians can expose the political opportunism and the use of distorted history and other lies by the alleged inflammatory speaker and many others. Ahmad Ismail and others of the same ilk do not define our nationhood. His statement in no way affects the constitutional and socio-political reality that Chinese Malaysians – and other majority and minority communities - are equal citizens with similar rights as other citizens in this country.
If anything, Ahmad Ismail has stirred a lively debate that has brought out to public attention the deep and irrational well of UMNO's communalism. The apology by UMNO Deputy president and the affirmation of the equal rights of minority communities by UMNO President are the steps in the right direction. However, now that Ahmad Ismail and UMNO Penang have openly snubbed their top leaders, UMNO must take stern disciplinary action to demonstrate its ability to censure its extremist and racially bigoted elements and regain the trust and confidence of, not only the non-Malays and non-Muslims, but of all Malaysians.
Endorsing Groups:
1. Writer Alliance for Media Independence (WAMI)
2. Aliran Kesedaran Negara (Aliran)
3. Bus Users' Group, Penang
4. Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ)
5. Centre for Policy Initiatives (CPI)
6. Civil Society Initiative for Parliamentary Reform (CSI@Parliament)
7. Civil Rights Committee of the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (CRC-KLSCAH)
8. Empower (Persatuan Kesedaran Komuniti, Selangor)
9. Group of Concerned Citizens (GCC)
10. Malaysia Youth and Students Democratic Movement (DEMA)
11. Penang Watch
12. Research for Social Advancement (REFSA)
13. Save Ourselves (SOS), Penang
14. Sister in Islam (SIS)
15. Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM)
16. Women's Aid Organization (WAO)
This joint statement is initiated by Writer Alliance Media Independence (WAMI).
Issued by Mr Wong Chin Huat, Chairperson, Writer Alliance Media Independence (WAMI)
For futher info, please contact:
Mr Chan Kim Ming 03-22746645
Mr Wong Chin Huat ( chinhuatw@gmail.comThis e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it )
________________________________
WAMI is a group of writers for the Chinese media in Malaysia, which aims to defend and promote media independence for freer public discussion and wider democratic space. It was formed by about 90 writers who quitted writing for the mainstream Chinese media in May 2001, in protest of the coerced takeover of the non-partisan Nanyang Press by the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA), a ruling coalition member party.
************************************************************
And here's a GEM which must be shared as widely as possible in blogosphere, so feel free to pinch from here, but attribute it to mGf Bernard Khoo, resident host at zorro-zorro-unmasked.blogspot.com:)
"I leave you all with this true story and also with a final reminder. Stop giving Ahmad Ismail press time. His family is sizing him up too:
The following scene took place on a BA flight between Johannesburg and London. This is a true story.
A White woman, about 50 years old, was seated next to a Black man. Obviously disturbed by this, she called the air Hostess.
"Madam, what is the matter," the Hostess asked.
"You obviously do not see it then?" she responded. "You placed me next to a Black man. I do not agree to sit next to someone from such a repugnant group. Give me an alternative seat."
"Be calm please," the Hostess replied. "Almost all the seats on this flight are taken. I will go to see if another seat is available."
The Hostess went away and came back a few minutes later.
"Madam, just as I thought, there are no other available seats in Economy class. I spoke to the Captain and he informed me that there are also no seats in the Business class. All the same, we still have one seat in First class."
Before the woman could reply, the Hostess continued: "It is unusual for our company to permit someone from Economy class to sit in First class. However, given the circumstances, the Captain feels that it would be scandalous to make someone sit next to someone so disgusting."
She turned to the Black man and said, "Therefore, Sir, if you would like to, please collect your hand luggage, a seat awaits you in First class."
At that moment, the other passengers who were shocked by what they had just witnessed stood up and applauded.
"When you're down to nothing, God is up to something."
THINK 916, 917, 918, 919, 920
A BIGOT-FREE NEW MALAYSIA. "
ON THE MALAYSIAN POLITICAL LANDSCAPE. ARE THERE SOME PUPPETEER/S PULLING DANGEROUS
STRINGS?
And rendering the Sandiwara on the PWTC Stage now a DANGEROUS REALITY PLAYING FIELD?
I'm afraid. Very afraid. Fellow Malaysians must keep alert about some sinister puppeteer/s behind the acts of madhatters Penang Bukit Bendera UMNO chief Ahmad Ismail, one-time coffee-maker now bigtime UMNO youthfool lackey Saiful Bukhari, and some more actors and actresses waiting in the wings before the fateful September 16 and September 16+1, +2, or +3 runs its course?
Pray hard and sincerely the GOoD Lord watch over NegaraKU that its peace-loving citizens prevail over the evil ones lurking behind the bendera or on vacation overseas using the loot syphoned off Petronas' oil dollars by tycoons and now gifted back via some "philantropisssed" UMNO-crony WITH A CONSCIENCE, how lucky can BN BBC get! May God save us from such benevolent philan...deres! I urge my fellow ER to bow our heads in aMore prayers, BUT WITH EYES OPEN WIDE LIKE A HAWK'S!
I:
S:
A: men
From the Star Online:
Wednesday September 10, 2008
Act against those who raise racial issues, says Armed Forces chief
By IZATUN SHARI
KUALA LUMPUR: Armed Forces chief Jeneral Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Zainal has proposed that the Government take stern action against those who stoke racial sentiments, the country’s main security threat.
“Racial issues are the most feared by security forces as they can lead to chaos. They are a security threat,” he said at the Wanita Umno Hari Raya contribution event to the Armed Forces and the police at the Putra World Trade Centre here yesterday.
“We are aware of such matters and they should be avoided. I would like to propose to the Government to take stern action against those who raise racial issues.
“That is the reality in our country. When racial issues are raised, it becomes our main threat.”
Speaking at the same event, Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar said street politics were under control.
He added that the police force was in a state of readiness to face any occurrence.
“We are ready to work day and night, rain or shine, without food or drink to ward off such threats,” he said.
The country’s rapid development would be jeopardised if there was chaos and instability, he added.
************************************
UPDATEd @6.27AM, after Desi had a GOoD rest and remembers there is a need to stress the following point:
While the mainstream media -- I refer to the English newspapers and the TV newtworks and I believe it appplies across the board for other language mediums in MSM -- focused a lot on Ahmad Ismail and Barisan Nasional reactions, I think there was hardly any pickup from the sane voices from Civil Society groups. I spied some coverage in theSun -- kudos to theSun teAm there trying its best to fill some of the void -- that the core issues were not given due attention, and there is danger of the citizenry being fed only certain aspects of the political "noise" which may reside questionable political agenda.
To fill more of the "void" I mentioned earlier, here's an extract from cpiasia.net of what I believe is an important statement that helps us see the forest for the trees. If you know not what this preceding metaphor means, please attend my Sunday's rumination classes. If you ask Where,one of the key 5Ws +1H of press writing, my answer is: Ask the same 5Ws plus wan H-LOL!
Joint Press Statement (WAMI)
Press Statements
Written by WAMI
Tuesday, 09 September 2008 20:03
Written by Writer Alliance for Media Independence ?WAMI?
Joint Press Statement on 9th September 2008
No Sedition Act – Rationality Needs to Prevail in Ahmad Ismail Case
We, the undersigned civil society groups, oppose the use of the Sedition Act on Ahmad Ismail, Chief of UMNO Bukit Bendera for his alleged racist remarks. The use of the Sedition Act legitimizes the draconian act which has long been condemned by civil society and opposition parties. Rather than use it to further curb the freedom of expression – whoever the accused - the UMNO politician and his colleagues who backed him with more racist statements should be made to pay his price politically.
We condemn Ahmad Ismail and Penang UMNO for their efforts to shift the blame for the episode and its aftermath onto the journalist who reported the alleged inflammatory statements. In the process they have aroused ethnic sentiments in the press conferences held on Sept 6 and 8. Most shockingly, Penang Opposition Leader Datuk Azhar Ibrahim was quoted to have said of the journalist, "What was written may lead to a racial riot. If such a thing happens, he is the first person that should be shot." This is a thinly-veiled threat of violence. If the reporting had been wrong, why should Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak who was present when Ahmad Ismail gave his speech apologize for a fabricated report? And if there is any doubt of the contents of his original speech, the explicitly racist nature of the subsequent remarks by Ahmad Ismail and his other colleagues in the two press conferences has confirmed their nasty intention.
We should however realize that exclusivist and hate speech - whether targeted on the basis of ethnicity, religion, gender, lifestyle or other grounds - is inevitable in any society and cannot be eliminated through laws. Unless we are in an emergency situation and confronted by individuals or groups inciting violence on racial grounds, there is no justification for legally policing and penalizing speech and expression. The only remedy to hate speech is the use of reason and to uphold the freedom of expression. When the society is mature, bigots like Ahmad Ismail – and their party if it refuses to penalize them - will be automatically punished by voters.
We urge Malaysians to be rational and to confront ethnocentric politicians by engaging them with rigorous and open debate. Resorting to legal means to censor speeches is unwittingly playing into the hands of those in the Government who seek to manipulate the "sensitive issue" paradigm to curb public discourse and political participation. It will also show that we as a society are intellectually incapable of refuting flawed rhetoric whatever the source.
Our stand on the case of Ahmad Ismail is consistent with that we have taken towards recent similar cases impacting on our freedom of speech and expression, notably the cases relating to forum disruption, book banning and website blocking. We reiterate the need to form a Parliamentary Select Committee to reform all freedom of speech and information and media-related laws including the Sedition Act. This is the only way we may mature as a society and fend off bigotry. We urge all Malaysians who oppose ethnic politics to endorse the 2008 Memorandum for Media Freedom at www.benar.org.
Through our measured and rational response, Malaysians can expose the political opportunism and the use of distorted history and other lies by the alleged inflammatory speaker and many others. Ahmad Ismail and others of the same ilk do not define our nationhood. His statement in no way affects the constitutional and socio-political reality that Chinese Malaysians – and other majority and minority communities - are equal citizens with similar rights as other citizens in this country.
If anything, Ahmad Ismail has stirred a lively debate that has brought out to public attention the deep and irrational well of UMNO's communalism. The apology by UMNO Deputy president and the affirmation of the equal rights of minority communities by UMNO President are the steps in the right direction. However, now that Ahmad Ismail and UMNO Penang have openly snubbed their top leaders, UMNO must take stern disciplinary action to demonstrate its ability to censure its extremist and racially bigoted elements and regain the trust and confidence of, not only the non-Malays and non-Muslims, but of all Malaysians.
Endorsing Groups:
1. Writer Alliance for Media Independence (WAMI)
2. Aliran Kesedaran Negara (Aliran)
3. Bus Users' Group, Penang
4. Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ)
5. Centre for Policy Initiatives (CPI)
6. Civil Society Initiative for Parliamentary Reform (CSI@Parliament)
7. Civil Rights Committee of the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (CRC-KLSCAH)
8. Empower (Persatuan Kesedaran Komuniti, Selangor)
9. Group of Concerned Citizens (GCC)
10. Malaysia Youth and Students Democratic Movement (DEMA)
11. Penang Watch
12. Research for Social Advancement (REFSA)
13. Save Ourselves (SOS), Penang
14. Sister in Islam (SIS)
15. Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM)
16. Women's Aid Organization (WAO)
This joint statement is initiated by Writer Alliance Media Independence (WAMI).
Issued by Mr Wong Chin Huat, Chairperson, Writer Alliance Media Independence (WAMI)
For futher info, please contact:
Mr Chan Kim Ming 03-22746645
Mr Wong Chin Huat ( chinhuatw@gmail.comThis e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it )
________________________________
WAMI is a group of writers for the Chinese media in Malaysia, which aims to defend and promote media independence for freer public discussion and wider democratic space. It was formed by about 90 writers who quitted writing for the mainstream Chinese media in May 2001, in protest of the coerced takeover of the non-partisan Nanyang Press by the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA), a ruling coalition member party.
************************************************************
And here's a GEM which must be shared as widely as possible in blogosphere, so feel free to pinch from here, but attribute it to mGf Bernard Khoo, resident host at zorro-zorro-unmasked.blogspot.com:)
"I leave you all with this true story and also with a final reminder. Stop giving Ahmad Ismail press time. His family is sizing him up too:
The following scene took place on a BA flight between Johannesburg and London. This is a true story.
A White woman, about 50 years old, was seated next to a Black man. Obviously disturbed by this, she called the air Hostess.
"Madam, what is the matter," the Hostess asked.
"You obviously do not see it then?" she responded. "You placed me next to a Black man. I do not agree to sit next to someone from such a repugnant group. Give me an alternative seat."
"Be calm please," the Hostess replied. "Almost all the seats on this flight are taken. I will go to see if another seat is available."
The Hostess went away and came back a few minutes later.
"Madam, just as I thought, there are no other available seats in Economy class. I spoke to the Captain and he informed me that there are also no seats in the Business class. All the same, we still have one seat in First class."
Before the woman could reply, the Hostess continued: "It is unusual for our company to permit someone from Economy class to sit in First class. However, given the circumstances, the Captain feels that it would be scandalous to make someone sit next to someone so disgusting."
She turned to the Black man and said, "Therefore, Sir, if you would like to, please collect your hand luggage, a seat awaits you in First class."
At that moment, the other passengers who were shocked by what they had just witnessed stood up and applauded.
"When you're down to nothing, God is up to something."
THINK 916, 917, 918, 919, 920
A BIGOT-FREE NEW MALAYSIA. "
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
PR-ing for PKR's SUARA:)
Even the most ignorant of my esteemedBUTTstillIGNORANThenceINNOCENTredaers would know Desi sometimes does PR-work for a side income. I normally ask for a 30% cut -- the latest is a book publisher who carriesmy namashake, so I have no qualms in taking brudderhim for a ride. PR-ing his latest sellout titled Bloggering and Democrazization or sumthin' along that line. StraightORcrooked, ask Ahmad Ismail, not me -- I only byTHEheart of Johnnny Cash, yes, USD aMore...
I Walk The Line
By John R. Cash, solid:)
Recorded 4/2/56
Number one - Country Chart; Number 17 - Pop Chart
Number 26 - Top 100 Country Hits of All-Time
I keep a close watch on this heart of mine
I keep my eyes wide open all the time.
I keep the ends out for the tie that binds
Because you're mine,
I walk the line
I find it very, very easy to be true
I find myself alone when each day is through
Yes, I'll admit I'm a fool for you
Because you're mine,
I walk the line
As sure as night is dark and day is light
I keep you on my mind both day and night
And happiness I've known proves that it's right
Because you're mine,
I walk the line
You've got a way to keep me on your side
You give me cause for love that I can't hide
For you I know I'd even try to turn the tide
Because you're mine,
I walk the line
'tis "Badder" Hey Jude-style you get on board the Blogswagon if you don't know what I'm writHing about -- SUARA Keadilan BIL 147 11-18 Sept stares at Desi after I parted wit' hard-earned/conned RM2.00:(
Rancangan ambil alih kerajaan lancar
ON TRACK (white against black font size X 5 normal, picturise-lah,
GOoD Lord gave ye a unique brain, use it unless it's booked for a transplant!:(
Ticked: Jumlah MP cukup
Ticked2: MP Sabah setuju
Ticked3: MP Sarawak setuju
Ticked4: MP Semenanjung setuju
Ticked5: Prosedur perundangan beres
Breaktake:
Desi hears then ews vendor knocking on the door, he dumps 1,000 kopi of SK on the doorstep; picks up a check for 1,000X200sen MINUS 30%, grins at Desi, departs.
That bugger's TRICKED6: ...That was a kangaroo check from Down Under; I didn't get dat RM500,000 some 50 damned and lucky BN MPs each god/got -- I heard from mGf zorrowan! -- when they left for THIGHwant:(
********************
Go to http://www.zorro-zorro-unmasked.blogspot.com/
for fool report plus blardy hellariotous pictures:)
Monday, September 8, 2008
BODY SNATCHING BN STYLE & MALE CHASTITY BELT.
I spent the afternoon at the Chinese assembly Hall to lend support to the launch of the Centre for Policy Initiative English and Chinese Website. The launch was preceded by speeches by Dr Syed Husin Ali, Deputy President of PKR and former Penang State Councillor Datuk Dr Toh Kim Woon. Both spoke on Freedom of Information. Dr Syed Husin Ali recalled the time when Ku Li of Semangat 46 was trying to promote Gagasan. He asked the BN government during the election campaign: "Give me 3minutes even at 3am on TV". This was denied. So much for freedom of Information. During question time Dr Husin was asked if 916 was a fact. He said, straight-faced, " I can say authoritatively that we have the numbers.......it will happen...if not on the 16, its after......because they have snatched some bodies away on some study trip to Taiwan."
*********************************************
UPDATEd @10.56PM:
From themalaysianinsider.com:
Govt to fall by Tuesday, Anwar repeats
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 10: Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said today he will topple Malaysia's government by early next week despite a trip abroad by ruling coalition lawmakers that he claims is aimed at thwarting his plans.
The three-party opposition alliance can seize power if at least 30 members of Parliament defect from the Barisan Nasional coalition, and Anwar said he would fly overseas if necessary to meet with lawmakers he hopes to lure to his side.
He has vowed for several months to take power by Sept 16.
About 50 BN lawmakers left for a farming study tour in Taiwan earlier this week amid opposition accusations that coalition leaders had sent them there to keep them away from Anwar and to dissuade some of them from defecting.
Anwar claims to have made tacit pacts with dozens of lawmakers in recent months, and insisted that he was still "very much" on track for his target date of next Tuesday.
"We're working on it," Anwar told reporters. "There are technical problems because (the lawmakers) have been shipped away. ...God-willing, it will (still) happen. If need be, I will fly to Taipei."
The government has denied the tour is politically motivated.
BN lawmakers met by The Associated Press at a seafood restaurant in Taiwan's southern Pingtung county expressed confidence that Anwar's threat was a bluff.
"You should go ask him. He knows better than I do," legislator Chua Tee Yong said when asked about Anwar's claim of imminent defections.
Taiwan Foreign Ministry spokesman Henry Chen said the island was not aware of any impending visit by Anwar and had received no visa application from him.
Anwar, who is battling a charge that he sodomised his 23-year-old former male aide, made his comments today after a Sessions Court delayed a preliminary hearing for his sodomy trial.
Government prosecutors said today they wanted to transfer the case to a higher court because it had attracted widespread interest, including from international observers.
Anwar's lawyers objected, saying the current judge was sufficiently qualified. The court will hear formal arguments from both sides Sept. 24 before making a decision.
Anwar is charged with allegedly sodomising Saiful Bukhari Azlan ~ the second such accusation in a decade for the former deputy premier, who was ousted in 1998 amid charges that he sodomised his family driver. A court overturned that sodomy conviction in 2004.
Anwar reiterated today the latest charge was "treacherous and malicious". The government has denied any conspiracy against Anwar.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has pledged to foil Anwar's attempt to unseat the BN, which has governed Malaysia for 51 years but suffered its worst electoral result ever in March national polls. -- AP
I Walk The Line
By John R. Cash, solid:)
Recorded 4/2/56
Number one - Country Chart; Number 17 - Pop Chart
Number 26 - Top 100 Country Hits of All-Time
I keep a close watch on this heart of mine
I keep my eyes wide open all the time.
I keep the ends out for the tie that binds
Because you're mine,
I walk the line
I find it very, very easy to be true
I find myself alone when each day is through
Yes, I'll admit I'm a fool for you
Because you're mine,
I walk the line
As sure as night is dark and day is light
I keep you on my mind both day and night
And happiness I've known proves that it's right
Because you're mine,
I walk the line
You've got a way to keep me on your side
You give me cause for love that I can't hide
For you I know I'd even try to turn the tide
Because you're mine,
I walk the line
'tis "Badder" Hey Jude-style you get on board the Blogswagon if you don't know what I'm writHing about -- SUARA Keadilan BIL 147 11-18 Sept stares at Desi after I parted wit' hard-earned/conned RM2.00:(
Rancangan ambil alih kerajaan lancar
ON TRACK (white against black font size X 5 normal, picturise-lah,
GOoD Lord gave ye a unique brain, use it unless it's booked for a transplant!:(
Ticked: Jumlah MP cukup
Ticked2: MP Sabah setuju
Ticked3: MP Sarawak setuju
Ticked4: MP Semenanjung setuju
Ticked5: Prosedur perundangan beres
Breaktake:
Desi hears then ews vendor knocking on the door, he dumps 1,000 kopi of SK on the doorstep; picks up a check for 1,000X200sen MINUS 30%, grins at Desi, departs.
That bugger's TRICKED6: ...That was a kangaroo check from Down Under; I didn't get dat RM500,000 some 50 damned and lucky BN MPs each god/got -- I heard from mGf zorrowan! -- when they left for THIGHwant:(
********************
Go to http://www.zorro-zorro-unmasked.blogspot.com/
for fool report plus blardy hellariotous pictures:)
Monday, September 8, 2008
BODY SNATCHING BN STYLE & MALE CHASTITY BELT.
I spent the afternoon at the Chinese assembly Hall to lend support to the launch of the Centre for Policy Initiative English and Chinese Website. The launch was preceded by speeches by Dr Syed Husin Ali, Deputy President of PKR and former Penang State Councillor Datuk Dr Toh Kim Woon. Both spoke on Freedom of Information. Dr Syed Husin Ali recalled the time when Ku Li of Semangat 46 was trying to promote Gagasan. He asked the BN government during the election campaign: "Give me 3minutes even at 3am on TV". This was denied. So much for freedom of Information. During question time Dr Husin was asked if 916 was a fact. He said, straight-faced, " I can say authoritatively that we have the numbers.......it will happen...if not on the 16, its after......because they have snatched some bodies away on some study trip to Taiwan."
*********************************************
UPDATEd @10.56PM:
From themalaysianinsider.com:
Govt to fall by Tuesday, Anwar repeats
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 10: Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said today he will topple Malaysia's government by early next week despite a trip abroad by ruling coalition lawmakers that he claims is aimed at thwarting his plans.
The three-party opposition alliance can seize power if at least 30 members of Parliament defect from the Barisan Nasional coalition, and Anwar said he would fly overseas if necessary to meet with lawmakers he hopes to lure to his side.
He has vowed for several months to take power by Sept 16.
About 50 BN lawmakers left for a farming study tour in Taiwan earlier this week amid opposition accusations that coalition leaders had sent them there to keep them away from Anwar and to dissuade some of them from defecting.
Anwar claims to have made tacit pacts with dozens of lawmakers in recent months, and insisted that he was still "very much" on track for his target date of next Tuesday.
"We're working on it," Anwar told reporters. "There are technical problems because (the lawmakers) have been shipped away. ...God-willing, it will (still) happen. If need be, I will fly to Taipei."
The government has denied the tour is politically motivated.
BN lawmakers met by The Associated Press at a seafood restaurant in Taiwan's southern Pingtung county expressed confidence that Anwar's threat was a bluff.
"You should go ask him. He knows better than I do," legislator Chua Tee Yong said when asked about Anwar's claim of imminent defections.
Taiwan Foreign Ministry spokesman Henry Chen said the island was not aware of any impending visit by Anwar and had received no visa application from him.
Anwar, who is battling a charge that he sodomised his 23-year-old former male aide, made his comments today after a Sessions Court delayed a preliminary hearing for his sodomy trial.
Government prosecutors said today they wanted to transfer the case to a higher court because it had attracted widespread interest, including from international observers.
Anwar's lawyers objected, saying the current judge was sufficiently qualified. The court will hear formal arguments from both sides Sept. 24 before making a decision.
Anwar is charged with allegedly sodomising Saiful Bukhari Azlan ~ the second such accusation in a decade for the former deputy premier, who was ousted in 1998 amid charges that he sodomised his family driver. A court overturned that sodomy conviction in 2004.
Anwar reiterated today the latest charge was "treacherous and malicious". The government has denied any conspiracy against Anwar.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has pledged to foil Anwar's attempt to unseat the BN, which has governed Malaysia for 51 years but suffered its worst electoral result ever in March national polls. -- AP
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
CSM: SOS on RPK to Fellow Malaysians
Joint Press Statement by National Alliance of Bloggers and Centre for Policy Initiatives
SOS on Raja Petra Kamarudin to Fellow Malaysians
During the last few days there has been an ominous and increasing crescendo of messages – written and verbal – indicating the imminent arrest and detention of fellow blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin under the Internal Security Act (ISA).
We hope that the Government is not contemplating this action. To alleviate the widespread public uproar and concern – national and international – that this shortsighted action will precipitate, we call on the authorities that may be planning this action to take heed of this SOS; to immediately cease all targeting of Raja Petra through the ISA or any other repressive measure; and to come out instead with an assurance that
1. no such ISA order is being envisaged to be served on Raja Petra
2. Raja Petra is free to continue his writings on the vital matters affecting the country
3. the draconian legislation of the ISA will not be used on Raja Petra or any other Malaysian blogger to punish them for their dissenting views and opinions.
In our view - and if the Government should care to undertake an independent survey, in the view of the great majority of Malaysians and non-Malaysians - Raja Petra in no way poses a threat to the country’s peace and security. Rather, he poses a threat to those individuals and organizations that he perceives as engaging in unconscionable and dastardly acts and activities that are bringing ruin to the nation. Many Malaysians too are of the opinion that his website contains some of the most incisive analysis on the ills that beset our nation. Further attempts to take down his website or to shackle his freedom of expression is not only an attack on a fearless, principled and ethical patriot but they will also be construed as an attempt to restrict our freedom of information and expression, a move that will take the country further down the road of authoritarianism.
While we respect the right to freedom of speech and information, we also advise all Bloggers and other online writers to exercise the same high ethical standards expected of journalists in the traditional media. We do not condone lies and malice in the Internet and should not only stand by what we write - we must be able to defend the truth of what we write.
We emphasise that in our view the current laws pertaining to Sedition and Defamation apply equally to print and online media and should be deterrent enough to check "irresponsible" writings. Hence we urge that there be no resort to a draconian law such as the Internal Security Act to hold peace-loving Malaysian writers to ransom.
A democratic government should not for one moment entertain - let alone pursue - the charges that have been leveled against Raja Petra. To isolate those forces in the system that are bent on using the repressive instruments of the state against various opponents for their own benefit, we call on
1. all fair-minded and honest leaders from the Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat parties to speak out - privately and publicly - against any attempt to use the ISA against Raja Petra;
2. component parties of the Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat to publicly oppose any intended incarceration of Raja Petra under the ISA;
3. civil society, professional and other organizations and private individuals to demand that the Government guarantees Raja Petra’s freedom of expression and undertakes not to use the ISA against him now or in the future.
We hope that good sense will prevail in our country’s leadership. Any act of repression against Raja Petra especially at this particular time will not go unquestioned or unanswered. We are confident that hundreds of thousands - if not millions of Malaysians – will stand firmly to make their dissenting views known should the Government choose to silence Raja Petra through the use of the ISA.
Statement released by
Ahirudin Attan Interim President, National Alliance of Bloggers (AllBlogs)
Dr Lim Teck Ghee, Director, Centre for Policy Initiatives.
Kuala Lumpur, 9 September 2008
SOS on Raja Petra Kamarudin to Fellow Malaysians
During the last few days there has been an ominous and increasing crescendo of messages – written and verbal – indicating the imminent arrest and detention of fellow blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin under the Internal Security Act (ISA).
We hope that the Government is not contemplating this action. To alleviate the widespread public uproar and concern – national and international – that this shortsighted action will precipitate, we call on the authorities that may be planning this action to take heed of this SOS; to immediately cease all targeting of Raja Petra through the ISA or any other repressive measure; and to come out instead with an assurance that
1. no such ISA order is being envisaged to be served on Raja Petra
2. Raja Petra is free to continue his writings on the vital matters affecting the country
3. the draconian legislation of the ISA will not be used on Raja Petra or any other Malaysian blogger to punish them for their dissenting views and opinions.
In our view - and if the Government should care to undertake an independent survey, in the view of the great majority of Malaysians and non-Malaysians - Raja Petra in no way poses a threat to the country’s peace and security. Rather, he poses a threat to those individuals and organizations that he perceives as engaging in unconscionable and dastardly acts and activities that are bringing ruin to the nation. Many Malaysians too are of the opinion that his website contains some of the most incisive analysis on the ills that beset our nation. Further attempts to take down his website or to shackle his freedom of expression is not only an attack on a fearless, principled and ethical patriot but they will also be construed as an attempt to restrict our freedom of information and expression, a move that will take the country further down the road of authoritarianism.
While we respect the right to freedom of speech and information, we also advise all Bloggers and other online writers to exercise the same high ethical standards expected of journalists in the traditional media. We do not condone lies and malice in the Internet and should not only stand by what we write - we must be able to defend the truth of what we write.
We emphasise that in our view the current laws pertaining to Sedition and Defamation apply equally to print and online media and should be deterrent enough to check "irresponsible" writings. Hence we urge that there be no resort to a draconian law such as the Internal Security Act to hold peace-loving Malaysian writers to ransom.
A democratic government should not for one moment entertain - let alone pursue - the charges that have been leveled against Raja Petra. To isolate those forces in the system that are bent on using the repressive instruments of the state against various opponents for their own benefit, we call on
1. all fair-minded and honest leaders from the Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat parties to speak out - privately and publicly - against any attempt to use the ISA against Raja Petra;
2. component parties of the Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat to publicly oppose any intended incarceration of Raja Petra under the ISA;
3. civil society, professional and other organizations and private individuals to demand that the Government guarantees Raja Petra’s freedom of expression and undertakes not to use the ISA against him now or in the future.
We hope that good sense will prevail in our country’s leadership. Any act of repression against Raja Petra especially at this particular time will not go unquestioned or unanswered. We are confident that hundreds of thousands - if not millions of Malaysians – will stand firmly to make their dissenting views known should the Government choose to silence Raja Petra through the use of the ISA.
Statement released by
Ahirudin Attan Interim President, National Alliance of Bloggers (AllBlogs)
Dr Lim Teck Ghee, Director, Centre for Policy Initiatives.
Kuala Lumpur, 9 September 2008
Monday, September 08, 2008
An Important Assurance on 916...
Desi was delighted to hear from an authoritative PKR leader -- YES, THE CROSS-OVERS OF SOME 40 MPs FROM THE BN TO PAKATAN RAKYAT WILL OCCUR. Just that since some 50 MPs have been hijacked to go overseas for an impromptu "study trip" -- these politikus tryly trip over each over concocting lies in wasting our money! -- the cross-overs will experience a slight delay from September 16.
I thank the reporter from The Nut Graph for the detailed story from the press sesssion after Dr Syed Husin launched the CPI Website this afternoon jointly with Penang State ex-EXCO Datuk Dr Toh Kin Woon. -- YL, Desi
___________________________________________
Crossover of MPs will happen but delayed by a couple of days: Syed Husin
8 Sept 08 : 7.35pm
By N Shashi Kala
shashikala@thenutgraph.com
KUALA LUMPUR, 8 Sept 2008: Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) deputy president Dr Syed Husin Ali today reiterated that the mass crossover of Members of Parliament (MPs) to the Pakatan Rakyat was still on track, but that it would take place a few days after 16 Sept.
Disclosing details of a three-hour morning meeting with the Pakatan Rakyat coalition leaders, Syed Husin said the plan would go ahead but with some changes in the date.
“What I can tell you is that we are on track, but there’s a slight alteration in date. Forty nine MPs have been carted away to Taiwan. So we have to wait for them to get back before proceeding,” he said.
Forty one Barisan Nasional MPs left for Taiwan this morning on a hurriedly-organised study trip by the BN Backbenchers Club, and eight more are scheduled to leave tomorrow.
Syed Husin was fielding questions after giving a speech at the launch of the website for the Centre for Policy Initiatives (CPI) at the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall.
Also at the launch was CPI director Dr Lim Teck Gee and former Penang executive councillor Datuk Dr Toh Kin Woon.
Syed Husin also claimed that some of the BN MPs were coerced into going on the study trip, but stressed that it did not affect Opposition Leader and Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s oft-repeated threat to bring down the government by getting BN MPs to defect.
“I can say this authoritatively – we have the numbers [of MPs willing to crossover to Pakatan Rakyat to form the new federal government],” he said to applause from the audience.
“The only problem is that some in the number are in Taiwan, and we do not know what will happen there. So we are waiting for them to come back on 17 Sept. Once that happens we will present the whole lot of them to the media.
“But that will not happen on 16 Sept because some accommodation must be made for these new developments. Maybe 16 Sept plus one, two, three days .... But it can’t go on for long,” he added.
BN currently has 140 MPs as opposed to the Pakatan Rakyat’s 82.
Pakatan Rakyat, led by Anwar, is an opposition pact made up of PKR, DAP and PAS. For a change in government to happen, Anwar needs to recruit a minimum of 30 BN MPs for a simple majority.
Up to 40 defections
But Syed Husin, who dismissed suggestions that PKR was crying wolf over the defections, said the number of legislators willing to move was closer to 40.
“And these are not verbal promises, but written undertakings. Some of the MPs are even willing to sign Statutory Declarations to this effect, especially since they had already signed a loyalty pledge to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi last month,” he said.
On what measures the present government might take in the event the crossover becomes a reality, Syed Husin was circumspect, saying it is unlikely for Abdullah to hand over power quietly and leave.
“Those in power have so much to lose. I have never seen any government in the Third World who have just given up and moved on quietly after losing power. And I expect Abdullah to fight to stay in power. So we have to prepare for the worst case scenario,” he said.
The “worst case scenario” he asserted, may include the government stirring up unrest, declaring a state of emergency and then carrying out mass arrests.
However, he pointed out the situation now was very different from 1969; people were more conscious of what was happening and were better informed.
Hence, he said, it was unlikely that such government action would go unchallenged now.
I thank the reporter from The Nut Graph for the detailed story from the press sesssion after Dr Syed Husin launched the CPI Website this afternoon jointly with Penang State ex-EXCO Datuk Dr Toh Kin Woon. -- YL, Desi
___________________________________________
Crossover of MPs will happen but delayed by a couple of days: Syed Husin
8 Sept 08 : 7.35pm
By N Shashi Kala
shashikala@thenutgraph.com
KUALA LUMPUR, 8 Sept 2008: Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) deputy president Dr Syed Husin Ali today reiterated that the mass crossover of Members of Parliament (MPs) to the Pakatan Rakyat was still on track, but that it would take place a few days after 16 Sept.
Disclosing details of a three-hour morning meeting with the Pakatan Rakyat coalition leaders, Syed Husin said the plan would go ahead but with some changes in the date.
“What I can tell you is that we are on track, but there’s a slight alteration in date. Forty nine MPs have been carted away to Taiwan. So we have to wait for them to get back before proceeding,” he said.
Forty one Barisan Nasional MPs left for Taiwan this morning on a hurriedly-organised study trip by the BN Backbenchers Club, and eight more are scheduled to leave tomorrow.
Syed Husin was fielding questions after giving a speech at the launch of the website for the Centre for Policy Initiatives (CPI) at the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall.
Also at the launch was CPI director Dr Lim Teck Gee and former Penang executive councillor Datuk Dr Toh Kin Woon.
Syed Husin also claimed that some of the BN MPs were coerced into going on the study trip, but stressed that it did not affect Opposition Leader and Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s oft-repeated threat to bring down the government by getting BN MPs to defect.
“I can say this authoritatively – we have the numbers [of MPs willing to crossover to Pakatan Rakyat to form the new federal government],” he said to applause from the audience.
“The only problem is that some in the number are in Taiwan, and we do not know what will happen there. So we are waiting for them to come back on 17 Sept. Once that happens we will present the whole lot of them to the media.
“But that will not happen on 16 Sept because some accommodation must be made for these new developments. Maybe 16 Sept plus one, two, three days .... But it can’t go on for long,” he added.
BN currently has 140 MPs as opposed to the Pakatan Rakyat’s 82.
Pakatan Rakyat, led by Anwar, is an opposition pact made up of PKR, DAP and PAS. For a change in government to happen, Anwar needs to recruit a minimum of 30 BN MPs for a simple majority.
Up to 40 defections
But Syed Husin, who dismissed suggestions that PKR was crying wolf over the defections, said the number of legislators willing to move was closer to 40.
“And these are not verbal promises, but written undertakings. Some of the MPs are even willing to sign Statutory Declarations to this effect, especially since they had already signed a loyalty pledge to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi last month,” he said.
On what measures the present government might take in the event the crossover becomes a reality, Syed Husin was circumspect, saying it is unlikely for Abdullah to hand over power quietly and leave.
“Those in power have so much to lose. I have never seen any government in the Third World who have just given up and moved on quietly after losing power. And I expect Abdullah to fight to stay in power. So we have to prepare for the worst case scenario,” he said.
The “worst case scenario” he asserted, may include the government stirring up unrest, declaring a state of emergency and then carrying out mass arrests.
However, he pointed out the situation now was very different from 1969; people were more conscious of what was happening and were better informed.
Hence, he said, it was unlikely that such government action would go unchallenged now.
Come to the CPI Website Launch Today and Learn....
Why the CPI Website Is Important to Young Minds Like Us
By John Lee and Wan Fadzrul Wan Bahrum, YouthSpeak Coordinators
Thoughts to be shared at the CPI Website Launch
September 8, 2008 at 2.30pm
at KLSCAH Auditorium, Kuala Lumpur.
With the changing political atmosphere in the country exciting Malaysians of all races and ages, the youth are fast becoming determinants of political success. We literally are the future of this country, but that means we are also the future of this country's politics and government. Ultimately, we will be responsible in some way for shaping Malaysia, whether through something as simple as casting our votes, or something as lofty as taking office as Prime Minister.
But if we want to exercise our responsibilities as citizens wisely, we have no choice but to inform ourselves about the issues of the day. It is ridiculous to expect ourselves to vote blindly; we might as well not vote at all. It is almost just as foolish to vote based on the empty rhetoric of politicians. Politicians are far more skilled at twisting emotions and swaying hearts than they are at informing the people and dealing in facts and figures. As boring as the plain facts may be, they are crucial. You would not steer a ship just because you feel you know how to go; you would demand charts and insist on plotting a course.
That is why the CPI's various efforts, most especially the website, are commendable resources for youth who seek to get involved in the future of our country. As a policy think tank, CPI does not deal in the hazy rhetoric of politicians, or the emotional fury of activists. It coolly and calmly dissects the effect of government policies on the future of our country, and examines proposed alternatives in the same light.
More importantly, CPI separates the wheat from the chaff; the power of the internet as a medium is clear to us all, but we worry about distinguishing fact from fiction. The commentaries published on the website are backed by a real organisation, which will suffer real consequences if it does not act responsibly. If you see a blog post carried on the website, you know it not only has relevance to the facts of politics and governance, but you also know it can be relied on.
Today is an exciting time to be a Malaysian. But it is even more exciting to be a young Malaysian. For the first time in a long while, the opportunities that stretch before us, in our future, the opportunities to change the fate of our nation, to make things in this country right, are innumerable. The generation that leads us today has kicked the door open; it is our job to guide our country through that door. I am very pleased to welcome CPI to that roster of civil society organisations which will help us in our responsibility.
____________ DEAR READERS: ALL ARE WELCOME TO THE CPI WEBSITE LAUNCH:) ____________
By John Lee and Wan Fadzrul Wan Bahrum, YouthSpeak Coordinators
Thoughts to be shared at the CPI Website Launch
September 8, 2008 at 2.30pm
at KLSCAH Auditorium, Kuala Lumpur.
With the changing political atmosphere in the country exciting Malaysians of all races and ages, the youth are fast becoming determinants of political success. We literally are the future of this country, but that means we are also the future of this country's politics and government. Ultimately, we will be responsible in some way for shaping Malaysia, whether through something as simple as casting our votes, or something as lofty as taking office as Prime Minister.
But if we want to exercise our responsibilities as citizens wisely, we have no choice but to inform ourselves about the issues of the day. It is ridiculous to expect ourselves to vote blindly; we might as well not vote at all. It is almost just as foolish to vote based on the empty rhetoric of politicians. Politicians are far more skilled at twisting emotions and swaying hearts than they are at informing the people and dealing in facts and figures. As boring as the plain facts may be, they are crucial. You would not steer a ship just because you feel you know how to go; you would demand charts and insist on plotting a course.
That is why the CPI's various efforts, most especially the website, are commendable resources for youth who seek to get involved in the future of our country. As a policy think tank, CPI does not deal in the hazy rhetoric of politicians, or the emotional fury of activists. It coolly and calmly dissects the effect of government policies on the future of our country, and examines proposed alternatives in the same light.
More importantly, CPI separates the wheat from the chaff; the power of the internet as a medium is clear to us all, but we worry about distinguishing fact from fiction. The commentaries published on the website are backed by a real organisation, which will suffer real consequences if it does not act responsibly. If you see a blog post carried on the website, you know it not only has relevance to the facts of politics and governance, but you also know it can be relied on.
Today is an exciting time to be a Malaysian. But it is even more exciting to be a young Malaysian. For the first time in a long while, the opportunities that stretch before us, in our future, the opportunities to change the fate of our nation, to make things in this country right, are innumerable. The generation that leads us today has kicked the door open; it is our job to guide our country through that door. I am very pleased to welcome CPI to that roster of civil society organisations which will help us in our responsibility.
____________ DEAR READERS: ALL ARE WELCOME TO THE CPI WEBSITE LAUNCH:) ____________
Sunday, September 07, 2008
3Generations of Reprisal of YouthBreakingOut
Today's Sundae Rumination is a strange one. Because of a strange wandering by Desi recently.Also, I am on the chicken run, so it's mainly Cut&Paste for which I've become expert -- the knottywaninYL would writHe the sexpert, but we can't allow that as I am a Mentor, like a former CM of a State quite near the Indian Ocean, WHY AM I DIGRESSING SO MUSH TODIE?
Okay, the weird, queer maybe, defintely strange, a li'l crooked, hence not straight like ALL minisTERS except ex-Hell MINIster Dr Chua SL, except he got caught. So never strip for a hidden camera, that's the moral of the story. Today's story has another moral -- don't write a crab of a movie review when you are NOT UP to Wit:)
******************* Post specially desidicated2 Women! ala allofhelen.blogspot.com *******************
mGf Bernie at zorro-zorro-unmasked.blogspot.com can sit in the lady's chamber!
Act 1:
Jasmine Women (Mo Li Hua Kai) - 2004
http://www.helloziyi.us/Movies/Jasmine_Women.htm
Released in China April 2006
A story of love and loss over three generations of life in a single family in Shanghai. Jasmine Women tells of the family's struggle to overcome its tragic history, as each daughter repeats the mistakes of her mother. Zhang Ziyi plays mother, daughter, and granddaughter as the film moves from the 1930's to the 1950's to the 1970's. Jasmine Women was filmed in 2003 and first shown at the Shanghai Film Fesival in 2004 where it won the Jury Prix Prize. Despite being shown to acclaim at numerous film festivals around the world, its release in China was delayed for two years until April 2006. Ziyi won Best Actress at the prestigious Golden Rooster awards for her performance.
Plot Summary
Mo's Story (1930's)
The young and beautiful Mo (Zhang Ziyi) gets a chance to realize her dream of being a film actress, but soon becomes the mistress of Boss Meng (Jiang Wen), an influential film investor. For a brief time, all is well, but soon Mo's dream of movie stardom is destroyed by Japan's invasion of China. Boss Meng abandons her to flee to Hong Kong, and Mo, pregnant and alone, has no choice but to return home to her mother (Joan Chen), where she gives birth to her daughter Li. But she blamed Li for everything she had lost…
Li's Story (1950's)
Against her mother's wishes, Li (Zhang Ziyi) marries working class Zou Jie (Lu Yi). But, unable to get along with Zou Jie's family, Li feels wronged, and decides to return home to live with her mother. Zou Jie, deeply in love with Li, moves in with them as well. But soon her mother's attentions to the gentlemanly Zou Jie inspire Li's jealousy. Feeling unsafe, Zou Jie believes that a child is the only way to ensure his family's stability. Zou Jie therefore adopts an orphan child for the infertile Li, a young girl name Hua. But as Hua grows up, her mother begins to experience hallucinations, and suspects that her husband is having an affair with their adopted daughter. In order to prove his innocence, Zou Jie commits suicide. Because of this, Li goes insane and runs away from home.
Hua’s Story (1980’s)
Li disappeared when Hua (Zhang Ziyi) was still very young and she grown up with her grandmother Mo (Joan Chen). Mo treated her own daughter very badly but found comfort on taking care of her granddaughter. Mo encourages Hua to get married to her boyfriend Xiao Du (Liu Ye), but Hua insists on waiting until he graduates from university. Unfortunately, by the time Xiao Du graduates, he has fallen in love with another women. He marries Hua but carries on an affair with someone else. Hua decided to end the marriage even though she had already carried Du’s child. Mo encourages her to abort the baby but Hua decides against it just like her grandmother. However before she can get home, her grandmother has died. Years later, Du has come back to Hua but she has moved on with her life. She moves into a new home with resolve to change her family's destiny and raise her daughter.
(Plot summary from the Shanghai Film Festival and MonkeyPeaches.)
Articles
Zhang Ziyi wins Best Actress at Golden Rooster Awards for her role in Jasmine Women - "I feel grateful that China's movie industry has shown signs of recognizing young professionals," Zhang said.
Jasmine Women Review - Variety: A multi-generational tearjerker of the first order, Jasmine Women is an impressive showcase for Mainland-born actresses Zhang Ziyi and Joan Chen, in multiple roles as daughters and mothers across three generations... As the three rebellious daughters, Zhang Ziyi has the showier roles and more than proves (especially after "2046" and "House of Flying Daggers") that she's a young actress of considerable range who's only just beginning to hit her stride.
Director Hou Yong Takes About Jasmine Women - "Why let Zhang Ziyi playing three characters?" Hou Yong: "To save money. This is equal to her playing three movies for me. (Laugh) Actually, I insisted on letting one actress play the three characters since the beginning. I just want the audience, from an expression in her eyes or a smile, to find in that something from her mother and let them think more."
On the set of Mo Li Hua Kai (Jasmine Women) - "Tell me something about the cast. How did you recruit Zhang Ziyi to play Mo, Li and Hua?" Hou Yong: "I want the best actors in my film, of cause, and Zhang Ziyi is one of the best Chinese actresses of our times. I once wanted to cast Gong Li and at that time, Zhang Ziyi was still too young to handle three roles in one film. I have already had very serious conversations with Zhang Ziyi and I have written down my thoughts of the roles, including many ideas. I believe Zhang Ziyi will handle it very well."
Act 2:
To come,INsyaAllah, when the youthINdesiBREAKSout!
ENJOY your wickedend -- you are allowed, you know, go on a study trip or to that sponSIRed I-LAND in the sun -- break into carefree wanton youth like johnlee and wan fadzrul and kyels and sabrina and crystal tan, and primrose, and yanny, and aweOFhelen dan sweets. and Desi off course!:):):):):):):)
Our Kind of September, Too Young to Remember?
Okay, the weird, queer maybe, defintely strange, a li'l crooked, hence not straight like ALL minisTERS except ex-Hell MINIster Dr Chua SL, except he got caught. So never strip for a hidden camera, that's the moral of the story. Today's story has another moral -- don't write a crab of a movie review when you are NOT UP to Wit:)
******************* Post specially desidicated2 Women! ala allofhelen.blogspot.com *******************
mGf Bernie at zorro-zorro-unmasked.blogspot.com can sit in the lady's chamber!
Act 1:
Jasmine Women (Mo Li Hua Kai) - 2004
http://www.helloziyi.us/Movies/Jasmine_Women.htm
Released in China April 2006
A story of love and loss over three generations of life in a single family in Shanghai. Jasmine Women tells of the family's struggle to overcome its tragic history, as each daughter repeats the mistakes of her mother. Zhang Ziyi plays mother, daughter, and granddaughter as the film moves from the 1930's to the 1950's to the 1970's. Jasmine Women was filmed in 2003 and first shown at the Shanghai Film Fesival in 2004 where it won the Jury Prix Prize. Despite being shown to acclaim at numerous film festivals around the world, its release in China was delayed for two years until April 2006. Ziyi won Best Actress at the prestigious Golden Rooster awards for her performance.
Plot Summary
Mo's Story (1930's)
The young and beautiful Mo (Zhang Ziyi) gets a chance to realize her dream of being a film actress, but soon becomes the mistress of Boss Meng (Jiang Wen), an influential film investor. For a brief time, all is well, but soon Mo's dream of movie stardom is destroyed by Japan's invasion of China. Boss Meng abandons her to flee to Hong Kong, and Mo, pregnant and alone, has no choice but to return home to her mother (Joan Chen), where she gives birth to her daughter Li. But she blamed Li for everything she had lost…
Li's Story (1950's)
Against her mother's wishes, Li (Zhang Ziyi) marries working class Zou Jie (Lu Yi). But, unable to get along with Zou Jie's family, Li feels wronged, and decides to return home to live with her mother. Zou Jie, deeply in love with Li, moves in with them as well. But soon her mother's attentions to the gentlemanly Zou Jie inspire Li's jealousy. Feeling unsafe, Zou Jie believes that a child is the only way to ensure his family's stability. Zou Jie therefore adopts an orphan child for the infertile Li, a young girl name Hua. But as Hua grows up, her mother begins to experience hallucinations, and suspects that her husband is having an affair with their adopted daughter. In order to prove his innocence, Zou Jie commits suicide. Because of this, Li goes insane and runs away from home.
Hua’s Story (1980’s)
Li disappeared when Hua (Zhang Ziyi) was still very young and she grown up with her grandmother Mo (Joan Chen). Mo treated her own daughter very badly but found comfort on taking care of her granddaughter. Mo encourages Hua to get married to her boyfriend Xiao Du (Liu Ye), but Hua insists on waiting until he graduates from university. Unfortunately, by the time Xiao Du graduates, he has fallen in love with another women. He marries Hua but carries on an affair with someone else. Hua decided to end the marriage even though she had already carried Du’s child. Mo encourages her to abort the baby but Hua decides against it just like her grandmother. However before she can get home, her grandmother has died. Years later, Du has come back to Hua but she has moved on with her life. She moves into a new home with resolve to change her family's destiny and raise her daughter.
(Plot summary from the Shanghai Film Festival and MonkeyPeaches.)
Articles
Zhang Ziyi wins Best Actress at Golden Rooster Awards for her role in Jasmine Women - "I feel grateful that China's movie industry has shown signs of recognizing young professionals," Zhang said.
Jasmine Women Review - Variety: A multi-generational tearjerker of the first order, Jasmine Women is an impressive showcase for Mainland-born actresses Zhang Ziyi and Joan Chen, in multiple roles as daughters and mothers across three generations... As the three rebellious daughters, Zhang Ziyi has the showier roles and more than proves (especially after "2046" and "House of Flying Daggers") that she's a young actress of considerable range who's only just beginning to hit her stride.
Director Hou Yong Takes About Jasmine Women - "Why let Zhang Ziyi playing three characters?" Hou Yong: "To save money. This is equal to her playing three movies for me. (Laugh) Actually, I insisted on letting one actress play the three characters since the beginning. I just want the audience, from an expression in her eyes or a smile, to find in that something from her mother and let them think more."
On the set of Mo Li Hua Kai (Jasmine Women) - "Tell me something about the cast. How did you recruit Zhang Ziyi to play Mo, Li and Hua?" Hou Yong: "I want the best actors in my film, of cause, and Zhang Ziyi is one of the best Chinese actresses of our times. I once wanted to cast Gong Li and at that time, Zhang Ziyi was still too young to handle three roles in one film. I have already had very serious conversations with Zhang Ziyi and I have written down my thoughts of the roles, including many ideas. I believe Zhang Ziyi will handle it very well."
Act 2:
To come,INsyaAllah, when the youthINdesiBREAKSout!
ENJOY your wickedend -- you are allowed, you know, go on a study trip or to that sponSIRed I-LAND in the sun -- break into carefree wanton youth like johnlee and wan fadzrul and kyels and sabrina and crystal tan, and primrose, and yanny, and aweOFhelen dan sweets. and Desi off course!:):):):):):):)
Our Kind of September, Too Young to Remember?
Saturday, September 06, 2008
Nostalgia -- Three Kinds of September...
Autumn winds are blowing in NegaraKu, cools temperatures down -- much needed by Bukit Bendera folks specifically, citizens of NegaraKu in general, after all the cacophony of phoney sounds out of UMNO BIG&smallMOUTHS&otherORIFICES. DIVISIVE. explosive. C4. sei-LOL!
As I take a breather fro Monday's logistics and prep -- peptalks from my mentees-turned-mentors JL and Fadz2 -- I want to indulge in pleasantries, after APpreciating allofhelen.blogspot.com's PR-ing ourPAST&presentRIES. If you don't understand my DDC/Blogspiak, it's OK to be KO-ed sometimes! Even this writer -- on reading his own olde Posts as I just did -- does not grasp fully what emits from his orific hands moving the mouse.
My THIRD kind of September is 916.
Suara Keadilan in its latest issue quoted de facto PKR leader Sdr Anwar Ibrahim in a frontpage lead report as assuring Malaysians in general that ... his 916 target is still on track. If the de facto Prez-cum-PM-in-waiting speaks in such direct terms, who are vvvvvvve the readers to question?
Like rats caught in a sinking ship, even the BN BBC rodents have to run away to foreign shores to work out a Sun Zi-style of counter-offensive, eh?
So be patient, my dear EstemedReaders, as Ms P is also Mr/Ms/in-between Virtuous.
Meanw'ile, I am heading out to C, catch an early by 24 a capitalist CON BF to celebrate my latest most kindest Kind of Septmeber. Jojneth desi at Hawaii in Lobak; or badder steal, at MenKee where all the men are charitable and the ladies, shy-shy-wan like AnakMerdeka.
*************** Almost a year ago, I wrote...__________:):):)
TWO KINDS OF SEPTEMBER, remember?
The benign kind, showing a Father's bias hear!
Early today, fine weather and Desi much inspired, I sms-ed sunny boy, 22-going-on-21, to wish him another "how time flies"-by anniversary. "Len, happy n peacefool Bdae. Wl Aweways remember A special kind Kind of September."
Try To Remember
-Brothers Four
Try to remember the kind of September
When life was slow and oh, so mellow
Try to remember the kind of September
When grass was green And grain was yellow
Try to remember the kind of September
When you were a tender And callow fellow
Try to remember and if you remember
Then follow, follow
Try to remember When life was so tender
That no one wept except the willow
Try to remember the kind of September
When love was an ember About to billow
Try to remember and if you remember
Then follow, follow
Deep in December It's nice to remember
Although you know The snow will follow
Deep in December It's nice to remember
The fire of September That made us mellow
Deep in December Our hearts should remember
And follow follow follow
___________________________________
DESI: Amore to follow when Desi breaks for an urgent assignment, be back
when the Great One up dare allows me to writHe about the
other kind Kind of September...
Not so benign, also not yet a malignant cancer because
Man is born to be hopeful or there is no living
Born to be positive or there is paralysis
Born to be moulded in God's image
Though we often times stumble even fall
We shall continue to Strive
For happiness and success does not come easily
after awe.
~~ 9.11am --
Do you steal or remember the time, the date the year?
I aweways do Cos my sonny boy reminds me to.
UPDATEd @12.12pm:
Before Season 3 of The West Wing flagged off, a stand-alone episode appealing to Americans to donate to the American Red Cross relates an episode clearly inspired by 911 of 2001 -- do you still remember what happened that day?
When Desi watched the 45-minute story-telling, I am amazed that the TV script-writers could so quickly spinned a sotry to mark the "momentous" event that took place just 3 weeks earlier as the broadcast date of October 3, 2001 shows.
I am also often "silently admire" the Ameerican spirit when the citizens all come together -- across political partisna lines -- when the nation is besieged by "nation-threatening" forces, put aside their differences to "face the enemy" united as one voice, in the main.
With Malaysians, when do you think we can arrive at such a crossroads when we can proudly stand up as a united nation to face the "external" enemy, with one voice, in the main.
"In the main.." as a qualifier as there will always be those minority nutty cases who will not see the forest for the trees (The Big Picture, yes?).
+++++++++++++++++++++ Isaac and Ishmael ++++++++++++++++++++++
Writer: Aaron Sorkin, Director: Christopher Misiano
Broadcast: October 3, 2001
Query: What are the stories of Isaac and Ishmael as told in the Judeo-Christian and the Moslem traditions?
Query: Can you cross into Vermont from Ontario, Canada?
Query: What was that music at the end?
Thanks to Google, Desi reprises some details of the plot so that my ER can glean some significant feature. I recommend you view the tapes yourself!
From "Isaac and Ishmael": Main protagonists:
Rob Lowe as Sam Seaborn, Richard Schiff as Toby Zeigler, Bradley Whitford as Josh Lyman, Allison Janney as C. J. Cregg
During a "crash" ("means there has been some kind of security break: No one in or out of the White House"), Josh talks to some high school students who had won a trip to the White House through Presidential Classroom. Josh assures them that there is nothing to worry about. "We've been having these crashes once a week." Most of the security problems, it seems are due to Islamic extremists. But Josh emphasizes that the problems are not due to Muslims in general.
Josh gives these high school students an SAT kind of question:
"Islamic extremist is to Islam as _______ is to Christianity."
After hearing from the students, Josh writes down his answer: "KKK. . . . It's the Klan gone medieval and global. It couldn't have less to do with Islamic men and women of faith of whom there are millions and millions. Muslims defend this country in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corp, National Guard, Police and Fire Department."
When he runs out of other things to say, Josh calls in friends.
First up:Toby.
"...there's nothing wrong with a religion whose laws say a man's got to wear a beard or cover his head or wear a collar. It's when violation of these laws become a crime against the state and not your parents that we're talking about lack of choice." He goes on to say that "The Taliban isn't the recognized government of Afghanistan. The Taliban took over the recognized government of Afghanistan. . . . When you think of Afghanistan, think of Poland. When you think of the Taliban, think of the Nazis. When you think of the people of Afghanistan, think of Jews in concentration camps."
Toby then goes on to tell a story told to him by a friend of his father's who had been in a Nazi concentration camp.
"He said he once saw a guy at the camp kneeling and praying.
He said 'what are you doing?'
The guy said he was thanking God.
'What could you possibly be thanking God for?'
' I'm thanking God for not making me like them.'"
Then Toby says, "Bad people can't be recognized on sight. There's no point in trying."
Later a student asks Sam:
"...what do you call a society that has to just live every day with the idea that the pizza place you are eating in could just blow up without any warning?"
"Israel," Sam answers.
When C.J. joins them, Josh introduces her by saying:
"C.J. has a bizarre affection for the intelligence community."
C.J. comes back with "We need spies. Human spies. . . . It's time to give the intelligence agencies the money and the man power they need."
Meanwhile, Leo takes part in the interrogation of an Arab American whose name corresponded to a name given by a terrorist who was caught entering the country from Canada. There are some circumstantial indications that the man, who is on the White House staff, may not be totally loyal to all U.S. policy in the Middle East.
The young man says, "It is not uncommon for Arab Americans to be the first suspected" in terrorist activities like bomb threats. Leo, being so very protective of the President and the Presidency as well as the country, isn't sympathetic.
Josh's parting advice to the students on how to relate to the terrorists is:
"...remember pluralism. You want to get these people? I mean, you really want to reach in and kill them where they live? Keep accepting more than one idea. It makes them absolutely crazy."
Leo has to face some pretty unpleasant things about his responses to all this. At the end he is so confused and embarrassed that his apology is some of the most realistic dialogue ever written. It is so realistic that like much of what each of us says when we are under a great deal of emotional distress, it is nearly incoherent.
Two contrasting commentaries extracted 'selectively' by Desi:
New York Daily News columnist Eric Mink was impressed: "In a very real way, Sorkin and his team--producing this episode on an astonishingly tight schedule--provided a service similar to the one David Letterman did for his fellow comics and late-night TV hosts: They demonstrated that it is possible to deal with terrorism in a fictional drama, possible to do so in a sensitive, sensible and intelligent way and possible to do it now."
"A crashing and often condescending bore," writes USA Today's Robert Bianco. "You could be forgiven if you began to fear that a quiz would be given at the end of the episode."
AmendeD @2.34pm:
DESI after a goode lunch with Mr Coww who also educated me on aMore Isaac and Ishmael, amyhaps I'd elaborate tomolo, G'ODwilling...
Only in that Land of the Impossible Dreams called USA, do readers get a whol;e spectrum of Commentaries covering the Left, Right and all the shades in between -- mGf the late MGG Pillai used the word, Chiaroscuro! -- and that's why
I like American democracy -- and I don't apologise for it!. They tolerate dissenting views the spirit of engage ala +++Thoreau's dictum which Desi often promotes and which Malaysians should emulate!:):
+++"I may disagree with what you say but I will defend, to the death, your right to say it."
And the quote I treasure most cometh from Josh, a message which I hope Malaysians, above race, religion and colour would do well to Try to remember, viz:
"...remember pluralism. You want to get these people? I mean, you really want to reach in and kill them where they live? Keep accepting more than one idea. It makes them absolutely crazy."
As I take a breather fro Monday's logistics and prep -- peptalks from my mentees-turned-mentors JL and Fadz2 -- I want to indulge in pleasantries, after APpreciating allofhelen.blogspot.com's PR-ing ourPAST&presentRIES. If you don't understand my DDC/Blogspiak, it's OK to be KO-ed sometimes! Even this writer -- on reading his own olde Posts as I just did -- does not grasp fully what emits from his orific hands moving the mouse.
My THIRD kind of September is 916.
Suara Keadilan in its latest issue quoted de facto PKR leader Sdr Anwar Ibrahim in a frontpage lead report as assuring Malaysians in general that ... his 916 target is still on track. If the de facto Prez-cum-PM-in-waiting speaks in such direct terms, who are vvvvvvve the readers to question?
Like rats caught in a sinking ship, even the BN BBC rodents have to run away to foreign shores to work out a Sun Zi-style of counter-offensive, eh?
So be patient, my dear EstemedReaders, as Ms P is also Mr/Ms/in-between Virtuous.
Meanw'ile, I am heading out to C, catch an early by 24 a capitalist CON BF to celebrate my latest most kindest Kind of Septmeber. Jojneth desi at Hawaii in Lobak; or badder steal, at MenKee where all the men are charitable and the ladies, shy-shy-wan like AnakMerdeka.
*************** Almost a year ago, I wrote...__________:):):)
TWO KINDS OF SEPTEMBER, remember?
The benign kind, showing a Father's bias hear!
Early today, fine weather and Desi much inspired, I sms-ed sunny boy, 22-going-on-21, to wish him another "how time flies"-by anniversary. "Len, happy n peacefool Bdae. Wl Aweways remember A special kind Kind of September."
Try To Remember
-Brothers Four
Try to remember the kind of September
When life was slow and oh, so mellow
Try to remember the kind of September
When grass was green And grain was yellow
Try to remember the kind of September
When you were a tender And callow fellow
Try to remember and if you remember
Then follow, follow
Try to remember When life was so tender
That no one wept except the willow
Try to remember the kind of September
When love was an ember About to billow
Try to remember and if you remember
Then follow, follow
Deep in December It's nice to remember
Although you know The snow will follow
Deep in December It's nice to remember
The fire of September That made us mellow
Deep in December Our hearts should remember
And follow follow follow
___________________________________
DESI: Amore to follow when Desi breaks for an urgent assignment, be back
when the Great One up dare allows me to writHe about the
other kind Kind of September...
Not so benign, also not yet a malignant cancer because
Man is born to be hopeful or there is no living
Born to be positive or there is paralysis
Born to be moulded in God's image
Though we often times stumble even fall
We shall continue to Strive
For happiness and success does not come easily
after awe.
~~ 9.11am --
Do you steal or remember the time, the date the year?
I aweways do Cos my sonny boy reminds me to.
UPDATEd @12.12pm:
Before Season 3 of The West Wing flagged off, a stand-alone episode appealing to Americans to donate to the American Red Cross relates an episode clearly inspired by 911 of 2001 -- do you still remember what happened that day?
When Desi watched the 45-minute story-telling, I am amazed that the TV script-writers could so quickly spinned a sotry to mark the "momentous" event that took place just 3 weeks earlier as the broadcast date of October 3, 2001 shows.
I am also often "silently admire" the Ameerican spirit when the citizens all come together -- across political partisna lines -- when the nation is besieged by "nation-threatening" forces, put aside their differences to "face the enemy" united as one voice, in the main.
With Malaysians, when do you think we can arrive at such a crossroads when we can proudly stand up as a united nation to face the "external" enemy, with one voice, in the main.
"In the main.." as a qualifier as there will always be those minority nutty cases who will not see the forest for the trees (The Big Picture, yes?).
+++++++++++++++++++++ Isaac and Ishmael ++++++++++++++++++++++
Writer: Aaron Sorkin, Director: Christopher Misiano
Broadcast: October 3, 2001
Query: What are the stories of Isaac and Ishmael as told in the Judeo-Christian and the Moslem traditions?
Query: Can you cross into Vermont from Ontario, Canada?
Query: What was that music at the end?
Thanks to Google, Desi reprises some details of the plot so that my ER can glean some significant feature. I recommend you view the tapes yourself!
From "Isaac and Ishmael": Main protagonists:
Rob Lowe as Sam Seaborn, Richard Schiff as Toby Zeigler, Bradley Whitford as Josh Lyman, Allison Janney as C. J. Cregg
During a "crash" ("means there has been some kind of security break: No one in or out of the White House"), Josh talks to some high school students who had won a trip to the White House through Presidential Classroom. Josh assures them that there is nothing to worry about. "We've been having these crashes once a week." Most of the security problems, it seems are due to Islamic extremists. But Josh emphasizes that the problems are not due to Muslims in general.
Josh gives these high school students an SAT kind of question:
"Islamic extremist is to Islam as _______ is to Christianity."
After hearing from the students, Josh writes down his answer: "KKK. . . . It's the Klan gone medieval and global. It couldn't have less to do with Islamic men and women of faith of whom there are millions and millions. Muslims defend this country in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corp, National Guard, Police and Fire Department."
When he runs out of other things to say, Josh calls in friends.
First up:Toby.
"...there's nothing wrong with a religion whose laws say a man's got to wear a beard or cover his head or wear a collar. It's when violation of these laws become a crime against the state and not your parents that we're talking about lack of choice." He goes on to say that "The Taliban isn't the recognized government of Afghanistan. The Taliban took over the recognized government of Afghanistan. . . . When you think of Afghanistan, think of Poland. When you think of the Taliban, think of the Nazis. When you think of the people of Afghanistan, think of Jews in concentration camps."
Toby then goes on to tell a story told to him by a friend of his father's who had been in a Nazi concentration camp.
"He said he once saw a guy at the camp kneeling and praying.
He said 'what are you doing?'
The guy said he was thanking God.
'What could you possibly be thanking God for?'
' I'm thanking God for not making me like them.'"
Then Toby says, "Bad people can't be recognized on sight. There's no point in trying."
Later a student asks Sam:
"...what do you call a society that has to just live every day with the idea that the pizza place you are eating in could just blow up without any warning?"
"Israel," Sam answers.
When C.J. joins them, Josh introduces her by saying:
"C.J. has a bizarre affection for the intelligence community."
C.J. comes back with "We need spies. Human spies. . . . It's time to give the intelligence agencies the money and the man power they need."
Meanwhile, Leo takes part in the interrogation of an Arab American whose name corresponded to a name given by a terrorist who was caught entering the country from Canada. There are some circumstantial indications that the man, who is on the White House staff, may not be totally loyal to all U.S. policy in the Middle East.
The young man says, "It is not uncommon for Arab Americans to be the first suspected" in terrorist activities like bomb threats. Leo, being so very protective of the President and the Presidency as well as the country, isn't sympathetic.
Josh's parting advice to the students on how to relate to the terrorists is:
"...remember pluralism. You want to get these people? I mean, you really want to reach in and kill them where they live? Keep accepting more than one idea. It makes them absolutely crazy."
Leo has to face some pretty unpleasant things about his responses to all this. At the end he is so confused and embarrassed that his apology is some of the most realistic dialogue ever written. It is so realistic that like much of what each of us says when we are under a great deal of emotional distress, it is nearly incoherent.
Two contrasting commentaries extracted 'selectively' by Desi:
New York Daily News columnist Eric Mink was impressed: "In a very real way, Sorkin and his team--producing this episode on an astonishingly tight schedule--provided a service similar to the one David Letterman did for his fellow comics and late-night TV hosts: They demonstrated that it is possible to deal with terrorism in a fictional drama, possible to do so in a sensitive, sensible and intelligent way and possible to do it now."
"A crashing and often condescending bore," writes USA Today's Robert Bianco. "You could be forgiven if you began to fear that a quiz would be given at the end of the episode."
AmendeD @2.34pm:
DESI after a goode lunch with Mr Coww who also educated me on aMore Isaac and Ishmael, amyhaps I'd elaborate tomolo, G'ODwilling...
Only in that Land of the Impossible Dreams called USA, do readers get a whol;e spectrum of Commentaries covering the Left, Right and all the shades in between -- mGf the late MGG Pillai used the word, Chiaroscuro! -- and that's why
I like American democracy -- and I don't apologise for it!. They tolerate dissenting views the spirit of engage ala +++Thoreau's dictum which Desi often promotes and which Malaysians should emulate!:):
+++"I may disagree with what you say but I will defend, to the death, your right to say it."
And the quote I treasure most cometh from Josh, a message which I hope Malaysians, above race, religion and colour would do well to Try to remember, viz:
"...remember pluralism. You want to get these people? I mean, you really want to reach in and kill them where they live? Keep accepting more than one idea. It makes them absolutely crazy."
Friday, September 05, 2008
Our PM Maketh a Damned GOoD Poker Player...
IF ONLY HE DOES US A NATIONAL SERVICE RESIGNING HIS JOB AS PM.
And take along his Finance Minister2 2 -- that loser of RM20billion trading Forex at BNM, initially blufing us it was only less than RM10billion. Or have you short-memoried Malaysians forgotten, o'lady?!
From The Star Online, here's yet another PREMIER MYTH being repeated, but the PM knows there's a sucker born every minute in Malaysia, hence the Nigerian scammers love NegaraKu. Black (Au) money anywan?
Friday September 5, 2008
Pray that oil prices stay low, says PM
PUTRAJAYA: Petrol pump prices will be reviewed again on Oct 1 and if the present trend of crude oil prices continues consumers can expect some good news.
“So, please pray that the fuel prices won’t climb again or better yet, for it to drop further,” said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
Abdullah said that if world market prices for fuel remained stable at US$109 for the rest of the year, Malaysians might even enjoy another 15 sen drop below the current rate of RM2.55.
“We will have to wait until the pump prices are revised come Oct 1 or by the middle of that month under our calculation formula.
“If world prices remain at US$109 per barrel until the end of the year, we can reduce prices by another 15 sen,” he said here yesterday.
However, he warned that prices could also go up if the crude oil prices increase.
On the ringgit weakening against the US dollar, Abdullah said the Government would not intervene.
“The value has dropped but not to a level that is too drastic or worrying."
********************* REPRISE or Reprisal? ***************
At a recent post by mGf Prez of AllBlogs rockybru, I disguised my comment as I trained as a Poker trainee, hence going under cover:(
Anonymous said...
Hi All:
I am going to be the CONTRARIAN here. In the first place, as a net producer of oil and net exporter too, and our export being of higher grades than the imported oils, the Government should NOT have raised rices the last time it did from RM1.92 per litre. It is reported that for every USD1 rise in world oilprices, NegaraKu gets USD200million more, so logically when world prices move North,our pump prices shouldmove South. It was the government who had 'siphoned" off the Petronas dollars elsewhere despite rising record net profits the past THREE financial years I had tracked the Petronas financials that resulted in theGovernment "pulling wool over the Rakayt's eyes" in justifying the last raise in pump prices citing "rising subsidies" when actually the Government via Petronas had been gaining MORE than the socalled subsidy rise!
Because of the MYTH the BN government had itself created, with the world oil prices falling by some USD20 or more per barrel, we now would receive LESS for our oil exports, and good economics is that pump prices should have to be raised this time around.
CAUGHT BY ITS OWN ILLOGIC, the BN government is now perpetuation a double "MYTH" that it's now being generous in lowering the pump prices (from Sept 1, 2008) because the world oil prices have declined.
Well, the country is suckered and PM has been caught "napping" and the myth continues -- now I wonder when the people will wsie up to the fact that IT IS TO THE COUNTRY's NETT LOSS WHEN WORLD OIL PRICES GO DOWN. That's WHY DSAI at the last debate with the Info Minister said BEFORE THE MSARCH 8, 2008 GE, PKR COULD HAVE LOWERED THE PUMPPRICES (meaning to below RM1.92 per litre)...Well, Mr Nice Guy took everybody for a ride, and now the world oil market is giving him a trashing. Wonder if his RM20Billion BNM forex finance minister II will continue to mislead him by the nose. Both losers, and nowonder Malaysians have no more tears to weep for NegaaKu!
God save us from such MORONS -- I think Dr M had his successor in mind too when he levelled that endearment at G. Soros?
I:
S:
A: men
~~ YL, Desi
PS: See the advice "pray" in the second para of the Star report?
1:20 AM
And take along his Finance Minister2 2 -- that loser of RM20billion trading Forex at BNM, initially blufing us it was only less than RM10billion. Or have you short-memoried Malaysians forgotten, o'lady?!
From The Star Online, here's yet another PREMIER MYTH being repeated, but the PM knows there's a sucker born every minute in Malaysia, hence the Nigerian scammers love NegaraKu. Black (Au) money anywan?
Friday September 5, 2008
Pray that oil prices stay low, says PM
PUTRAJAYA: Petrol pump prices will be reviewed again on Oct 1 and if the present trend of crude oil prices continues consumers can expect some good news.
“So, please pray that the fuel prices won’t climb again or better yet, for it to drop further,” said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
Abdullah said that if world market prices for fuel remained stable at US$109 for the rest of the year, Malaysians might even enjoy another 15 sen drop below the current rate of RM2.55.
“We will have to wait until the pump prices are revised come Oct 1 or by the middle of that month under our calculation formula.
“If world prices remain at US$109 per barrel until the end of the year, we can reduce prices by another 15 sen,” he said here yesterday.
However, he warned that prices could also go up if the crude oil prices increase.
On the ringgit weakening against the US dollar, Abdullah said the Government would not intervene.
“The value has dropped but not to a level that is too drastic or worrying."
********************* REPRISE or Reprisal? ***************
At a recent post by mGf Prez of AllBlogs rockybru, I disguised my comment as I trained as a Poker trainee, hence going under cover:(
Anonymous said...
Hi All:
I am going to be the CONTRARIAN here. In the first place, as a net producer of oil and net exporter too, and our export being of higher grades than the imported oils, the Government should NOT have raised rices the last time it did from RM1.92 per litre. It is reported that for every USD1 rise in world oilprices, NegaraKu gets USD200million more, so logically when world prices move North,our pump prices shouldmove South. It was the government who had 'siphoned" off the Petronas dollars elsewhere despite rising record net profits the past THREE financial years I had tracked the Petronas financials that resulted in theGovernment "pulling wool over the Rakayt's eyes" in justifying the last raise in pump prices citing "rising subsidies" when actually the Government via Petronas had been gaining MORE than the socalled subsidy rise!
Because of the MYTH the BN government had itself created, with the world oil prices falling by some USD20 or more per barrel, we now would receive LESS for our oil exports, and good economics is that pump prices should have to be raised this time around.
CAUGHT BY ITS OWN ILLOGIC, the BN government is now perpetuation a double "MYTH" that it's now being generous in lowering the pump prices (from Sept 1, 2008) because the world oil prices have declined.
Well, the country is suckered and PM has been caught "napping" and the myth continues -- now I wonder when the people will wsie up to the fact that IT IS TO THE COUNTRY's NETT LOSS WHEN WORLD OIL PRICES GO DOWN. That's WHY DSAI at the last debate with the Info Minister said BEFORE THE MSARCH 8, 2008 GE, PKR COULD HAVE LOWERED THE PUMPPRICES (meaning to below RM1.92 per litre)...Well, Mr Nice Guy took everybody for a ride, and now the world oil market is giving him a trashing. Wonder if his RM20Billion BNM forex finance minister II will continue to mislead him by the nose. Both losers, and nowonder Malaysians have no more tears to weep for NegaaKu!
God save us from such MORONS -- I think Dr M had his successor in mind too when he levelled that endearment at G. Soros?
I:
S:
A: men
~~ YL, Desi
PS: See the advice "pray" in the second para of the Star report?
1:20 AM
P***ing the buck!
The three *** is for the reader/s to figure out:)
WARNING: 'Tis a personal rant, don't read further if you suddenly get hot under the collar!:( U R da BOSS!
When a project runs smoothly
The President is on top of things
He claims credit
When that RM20billion project lands on the Company's lap
The man at the Top wants the first bite on the pie
Ah, Petronas' mega bucks stp hear!
But when the billion-dollar PK Free Zone flops
The mega bucks taker disAPpears
Yes, p*** the buck
It stops with the person just below the President
And the Vice-Prez also p***es the buck
No, not the mega bucks -- that has vanished into a Swiis bank AC
and you no see, I no see, only the Big Boss got eyes can see
The next in line also p***es the buck all the way down
How generous of the superiors, even the office boy gets the buck!
Yeah, the office boy is p***ed
I get the mini-bucks
They get the mega, major, minor bucks
Here I'm holding the last buck
Life's sure unfair:(
The supervisor has got his share
I'm left with just hot air
"I hope at the SuperLotto this weakend, I have badder luck!"
Desi, p***ed.
*** can stand/sit/sleep as uss!
Boots in puss
Wit' Oliviahuss
Where's my wed'sday nurse?
WARNING: 'Tis a personal rant, don't read further if you suddenly get hot under the collar!:( U R da BOSS!
When a project runs smoothly
The President is on top of things
He claims credit
When that RM20billion project lands on the Company's lap
The man at the Top wants the first bite on the pie
Ah, Petronas' mega bucks stp hear!
But when the billion-dollar PK Free Zone flops
The mega bucks taker disAPpears
Yes, p*** the buck
It stops with the person just below the President
And the Vice-Prez also p***es the buck
No, not the mega bucks -- that has vanished into a Swiis bank AC
and you no see, I no see, only the Big Boss got eyes can see
The next in line also p***es the buck all the way down
How generous of the superiors, even the office boy gets the buck!
Yeah, the office boy is p***ed
I get the mini-bucks
They get the mega, major, minor bucks
Here I'm holding the last buck
Life's sure unfair:(
The supervisor has got his share
I'm left with just hot air
"I hope at the SuperLotto this weakend, I have badder luck!"
Desi, p***ed.
*** can stand/sit/sleep as uss!
Boots in puss
Wit' Oliviahuss
Where's my wed'sday nurse?
Thursday, September 04, 2008
Y&A Sabrina Tan Writes on PATRIOTISM:)
From cpiasia.net:
What Patriotism Means to Me
Featured Themes
Written by Sabrina Tan
Tuesday, 02 September 2008 08:06
document.write(parent.prscreen)
MERDEKA ESSAY: What Patriotism Means to Me
By Sabrina Tan,
a Malaysian resident in New Zealand
August 31, 2008
It’s August 31st. The same Merdeka rhetoric that comes by every year, passes each person’s life in the same manner as the year before.
But here’s a thought on what patriotism really means:
- it’s about feeling immensely proud (perhaps shedding a tear or two) when you see your country’s flag being risen in a huge ceremony, like in the Olympic’s medal ceremony
- it’s about being able to say where you are from with pride
- it’s about acknowledging the good and the bad of the country, without being defensive and without being in denial
- it’s about wanting change for the country, for the good of the people
- it’s about accepting the diversity and embracing the uniqueness that each culture brings us
- it’s about working together to achieve a common goal for the country
- it’s about being able to have open discussions with the people around you, finding ideas, making history
- it’s about respecting everybody’s right and freedom to live and function in the respective country
- it’s about ensuring that you are making the country a better place for your next generation
I wish everyone a good Merdeka and may there be change that we can believe in ( quote Obama presidential campaign slogan).
__________________________
NOTE FROM THE EDITOR, CPI:
Sabrina Tan and John Lee, YouthSpeak Coordiator, are among a group of Bloggers who are regularly sharing their "young and articulate" thoughts with me, and I have often tried to impress on them -- playing the role of Mentor, but I often told them it's often role reversed -- that Malaysia needs our young ones studying abroad to come home and help build "A Better Malaysia". But there are barriers preventing them from coming back which our nation's leaders truly need to address. Following is another Post that Sabrina had written relatng a personal encounter that reflects one of many dilemmas facing NegaraKu. -- YL Chong
___________________________
Monday, August 29, 2005
Barriers to Forging Lasting Malaysian Friendships
By SABRINA TAN
She used to be a good friend. However, now I can’t say the same anymore.
Why? It’s just because we were both Malaysians, but of a different race.
She asked me out for lunch one day, and we agreed to catch up at one of the cafes.
I was happy to be in her company.
She has always been a nice person, though she has her strange ways of managing her life, but she’s nice nonetheless.
We were talking about Malaysia, and how it’s sad that we both can’t really relate to Malaysia anymore.
She is under a government scholarship to further her postgraduate studies in the humanities.
She used to stay in the best room in the hostel. However. after a year or two later, the local university that funded her education decided to stop her living expenses here in New Zealand. She complained. She is also a Permanent Resident herself. She could enjoy NZ benefits, i.e. student allowance (for which she doesn’t need to pay back at all), student loan, etc. Yet she complained.
I remained silent.
Malaysia Continues to Lose Some of The Best Talents
We were talking about how the brain-drain situation in Malaysia is getting worse.
I was hesitant, yet I braved myself to speak.
“ It’s very sad, it’s so sad to see Malaysia’s brightest minds are all over the world except Malaysia. The person who is researching into getting water for Singapore is a Malaysian. The head of Parasitology in Cambridge is Malaysian. The best doctors in the world are Malaysians. Yet, they are no where near Malaysia.”
“ Yea, there just isn’t a comfortable place for Malaysians anymore…”
Pause…
“I find that the thing that causes the brain drain is because the government awards merit to people who don’t deserve it. The benefits that some groups of people get, they don’t deserve it.”
She was silent. She was stunned.
“What do you mean, the undeserving, Sabrina?”
“ Well, I am not saying that it’s not right that you get these benefits or anything. If anything, we were to be blamed because we agreed to it when we signed the constitution decades ago. Our forefathers agreed to it. Fine, perhaps there was a reason why they agreed to it. However, it just seems that the people that are benefiting from these benefits are not deserving.”
She was silent again. I continued.
“ Look at the farmers, the fishermen, the rubber tappers. They also belonged to the supposedly ‘deserving’ group, yet why do they get poorer and poorer, yet the rich get richer? I am merely saying that yes, these benefits should be given, but to the people who truly deserved it.”
She remained silent throughout the whole conversation. After we gave each other hugs, we have never seen nor heard from each other ever since.
That was four months ago.
To be honest, I felt guilty that I said it out loud. Yet at the same time, I felt that I was just saying what I truly feel.
The angst in me increases in size whenever I hear friends from the ‘deserving’ group complaining.
Complaining the government is not giving them enough money.
Complaining that the mentality of their fellow countrymen doesn’t change.
Yet where do I fit in when I hear this?
They say that the government is not treating them fairly. To me, I don’t even know what is fair anymore.
My friends who did brilliantly in high school got scholarships for Engineering in GERMANY. It’s a hard life there. They feel like an outcast, severe racism, do not speak the language. Yet they are thankful that they at least got the scholarship.
What about the ‘deserving’ group?
They get to go to Western countries. Some even are coming here to New Zealand.
And what to they do in the end? They get married. Yes, the girls get married while doing their demanding course of Medicine or Dentistry.
One wouldn’t be surprised to hear that few years down the road, they quit their degree to have babies.
The Malaysian Dilemma?
Can the ‘deserving’ group and the ‘commoners’ ever be good friends?
Perhaps, someday this phenomenon might change.
Perhaps, there would be an understanding between us.
Perhaps, there would be divine intervention that would change everything for us.
Written by Sabrina Tan
August 2005
What Patriotism Means to Me
Featured Themes
Written by Sabrina Tan
Tuesday, 02 September 2008 08:06
document.write(parent.prscreen)
MERDEKA ESSAY: What Patriotism Means to Me
By Sabrina Tan,
a Malaysian resident in New Zealand
August 31, 2008
It’s August 31st. The same Merdeka rhetoric that comes by every year, passes each person’s life in the same manner as the year before.
But here’s a thought on what patriotism really means:
- it’s about feeling immensely proud (perhaps shedding a tear or two) when you see your country’s flag being risen in a huge ceremony, like in the Olympic’s medal ceremony
- it’s about being able to say where you are from with pride
- it’s about acknowledging the good and the bad of the country, without being defensive and without being in denial
- it’s about wanting change for the country, for the good of the people
- it’s about accepting the diversity and embracing the uniqueness that each culture brings us
- it’s about working together to achieve a common goal for the country
- it’s about being able to have open discussions with the people around you, finding ideas, making history
- it’s about respecting everybody’s right and freedom to live and function in the respective country
- it’s about ensuring that you are making the country a better place for your next generation
I wish everyone a good Merdeka and may there be change that we can believe in ( quote Obama presidential campaign slogan).
__________________________
NOTE FROM THE EDITOR, CPI:
Sabrina Tan and John Lee, YouthSpeak Coordiator, are among a group of Bloggers who are regularly sharing their "young and articulate" thoughts with me, and I have often tried to impress on them -- playing the role of Mentor, but I often told them it's often role reversed -- that Malaysia needs our young ones studying abroad to come home and help build "A Better Malaysia". But there are barriers preventing them from coming back which our nation's leaders truly need to address. Following is another Post that Sabrina had written relatng a personal encounter that reflects one of many dilemmas facing NegaraKu. -- YL Chong
___________________________
Monday, August 29, 2005
Barriers to Forging Lasting Malaysian Friendships
By SABRINA TAN
She used to be a good friend. However, now I can’t say the same anymore.
Why? It’s just because we were both Malaysians, but of a different race.
She asked me out for lunch one day, and we agreed to catch up at one of the cafes.
I was happy to be in her company.
She has always been a nice person, though she has her strange ways of managing her life, but she’s nice nonetheless.
We were talking about Malaysia, and how it’s sad that we both can’t really relate to Malaysia anymore.
She is under a government scholarship to further her postgraduate studies in the humanities.
She used to stay in the best room in the hostel. However. after a year or two later, the local university that funded her education decided to stop her living expenses here in New Zealand. She complained. She is also a Permanent Resident herself. She could enjoy NZ benefits, i.e. student allowance (for which she doesn’t need to pay back at all), student loan, etc. Yet she complained.
I remained silent.
Malaysia Continues to Lose Some of The Best Talents
We were talking about how the brain-drain situation in Malaysia is getting worse.
I was hesitant, yet I braved myself to speak.
“ It’s very sad, it’s so sad to see Malaysia’s brightest minds are all over the world except Malaysia. The person who is researching into getting water for Singapore is a Malaysian. The head of Parasitology in Cambridge is Malaysian. The best doctors in the world are Malaysians. Yet, they are no where near Malaysia.”
“ Yea, there just isn’t a comfortable place for Malaysians anymore…”
Pause…
“I find that the thing that causes the brain drain is because the government awards merit to people who don’t deserve it. The benefits that some groups of people get, they don’t deserve it.”
She was silent. She was stunned.
“What do you mean, the undeserving, Sabrina?”
“ Well, I am not saying that it’s not right that you get these benefits or anything. If anything, we were to be blamed because we agreed to it when we signed the constitution decades ago. Our forefathers agreed to it. Fine, perhaps there was a reason why they agreed to it. However, it just seems that the people that are benefiting from these benefits are not deserving.”
She was silent again. I continued.
“ Look at the farmers, the fishermen, the rubber tappers. They also belonged to the supposedly ‘deserving’ group, yet why do they get poorer and poorer, yet the rich get richer? I am merely saying that yes, these benefits should be given, but to the people who truly deserved it.”
She remained silent throughout the whole conversation. After we gave each other hugs, we have never seen nor heard from each other ever since.
That was four months ago.
To be honest, I felt guilty that I said it out loud. Yet at the same time, I felt that I was just saying what I truly feel.
The angst in me increases in size whenever I hear friends from the ‘deserving’ group complaining.
Complaining the government is not giving them enough money.
Complaining that the mentality of their fellow countrymen doesn’t change.
Yet where do I fit in when I hear this?
They say that the government is not treating them fairly. To me, I don’t even know what is fair anymore.
My friends who did brilliantly in high school got scholarships for Engineering in GERMANY. It’s a hard life there. They feel like an outcast, severe racism, do not speak the language. Yet they are thankful that they at least got the scholarship.
What about the ‘deserving’ group?
They get to go to Western countries. Some even are coming here to New Zealand.
And what to they do in the end? They get married. Yes, the girls get married while doing their demanding course of Medicine or Dentistry.
One wouldn’t be surprised to hear that few years down the road, they quit their degree to have babies.
The Malaysian Dilemma?
Can the ‘deserving’ group and the ‘commoners’ ever be good friends?
Perhaps, someday this phenomenon might change.
Perhaps, there would be an understanding between us.
Perhaps, there would be divine intervention that would change everything for us.
Written by Sabrina Tan
August 2005
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
CSM: Keep Monday Free -- Keep a Date with CPI
Keep a date with PKR Deputy President Dr Syed Husin Ali;
Keep a date with ex-Gerakan PP EXCO Datuk Dr Toh Kin Woon;
For A*bonus, Keep a date with Dr Lim Teck Ghee, Director, CPI.
(Desi will also keep a date with Thee:)
********************* CMS **************
September 2, 2008
Centre for Policy Initiatives (CPI),
Kuala Lumpur.
Saudara/Saudari and Friends:
OPEN INVITATION TO THE OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF
CPI WEBSITE ON MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2008
You are cordially invited to attend the Official Launch of our Website
-- cpiasia.net and chinese.cpiasia.net -- to be held on Monday,
September 8, 2008 from 2.30pm-4.30pm. Two Guest speakers --
Datuk Dr Toh Kin Woon and Dr Syed Husin Ali -- will also honour the occasion with short speeches on Freedom of Information and the Internet.
Venue:
Auditorium,
Kuala Lumpur & Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH),
1, Jalan Maharajalela
Kuala Lumpur.
The programme is as follows:
2.30pm: Welcome address by Dr Lim Teck Ghee, Director, CPI
2.45pm: Presentation of CPI Website (English) by YL Chong, Editor, CPI
3.00pm: Presentation of CPI Website (Chinese) by KF Yap, Editor, CPI
3.15pm: ***Address by Dr Syed Husin Ali on: "Freedom of Information
and the Role of the Internet"
3.35pm: ****Address by Datuk Dr Toh Kin Woon on: "Freedom of Information
and the Internet (Chinese)
4.00pm: Q and A session follows with the Press
_________________ HI:)-TEA __________
Please feel free to bring your friends along.
For further enquiry, please contact Ms Helen Ang at 013-2240985.
With warm regards,
Dr Lim Teck Ghee
Director, CPI
Keep a date with ex-Gerakan PP EXCO Datuk Dr Toh Kin Woon;
For A*bonus, Keep a date with Dr Lim Teck Ghee, Director, CPI.
(Desi will also keep a date with Thee:)
********************* CMS **************
September 2, 2008
Centre for Policy Initiatives (CPI),
Kuala Lumpur.
Saudara/Saudari and Friends:
OPEN INVITATION TO THE OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF
CPI WEBSITE ON MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2008
You are cordially invited to attend the Official Launch of our Website
-- cpiasia.net and chinese.cpiasia.net -- to be held on Monday,
September 8, 2008 from 2.30pm-4.30pm. Two Guest speakers --
Datuk Dr Toh Kin Woon and Dr Syed Husin Ali -- will also honour the occasion with short speeches on Freedom of Information and the Internet.
Venue:
Auditorium,
Kuala Lumpur & Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH),
1, Jalan Maharajalela
Kuala Lumpur.
The programme is as follows:
2.30pm: Welcome address by Dr Lim Teck Ghee, Director, CPI
2.45pm: Presentation of CPI Website (English) by YL Chong, Editor, CPI
3.00pm: Presentation of CPI Website (Chinese) by KF Yap, Editor, CPI
3.15pm: ***Address by Dr Syed Husin Ali on: "Freedom of Information
and the Role of the Internet"
3.35pm: ****Address by Datuk Dr Toh Kin Woon on: "Freedom of Information
and the Internet (Chinese)
4.00pm: Q and A session follows with the Press
_________________ HI:)-TEA __________
Please feel free to bring your friends along.
For further enquiry, please contact Ms Helen Ang at 013-2240985.
With warm regards,
Dr Lim Teck Ghee
Director, CPI
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
MERDEKA ESSAYS: Y&A Eugene Chua Debuts
I have been running a series of MERDEKA ESSAYS every year since I started My Blue H'aven on March 15, 2005, without a break thus far. I am motivated and happy to continue this what I calla small "national" mission with a group of like-minded Malaysians to reflect on the state of the nation we fondly call NEGARAKU.
Since I started wearing a new hat as Editor, CPI, on the Ides of March this year, I have given a higher priority to running 2008's ME Series there (dare if DDC is allowed there (but I shalt restrain as a sombreNURSE must take precedence over a prayfool wan danzing around wit' Mr DDC!:).
CPI is of course the Centre for Policy Initiatives headed by Dr Lim TeckGhee. I hope you do mark down in your diary the Official Launch of CPI Website -- at cpiasia.net and chinese.cpiasia.net -- on MONDAY September 8, 2008 from 2.30p-4.30pm at the KLSCAH. An official announcement will be made in the next day or two; Miss Patience is also your forte, eh?
Now ENJOY a picking from cpiasia.net while I leave for Koala Lumpuh to seek my fortune; a recent cokie foretold that I might reach that 20million chestfool of Ag, Au dan Pt very so-ON. Pehaps arriving at the Cineplex nearest my/your/OUR neighbourhood, served by THREE Y&A FACES of Zhang Ziyi like "Jasmine Women" of Furong in the times when it was truly a Peyton Place.
********
What is Merdeka?
Featured Themes
Written by Eugene Chua K.H.
Sunday, 31 August 2008 11:11
MERDEKA ESSAY: What is Merdeka?
By Eugene Chua K.H.
August 31, 2008
Merdeka! Merdeka! Merdeka! Merdeka! Merdeka! Merdeka! Merdeka! This resounding proclamation of joy rang out over the Merdeka stadium fifty one years ago, representing freedom and hope to all the people of Malaya, and subsequently Malaysia. What does this word mean today, after so many years? I think that Merdeka means that we get to call ourselves, Malaysians, a people with a nation of our own. Those of my generation are said to be unmindful of history, unappreciative of the sacrifices made, the struggles faced and overcome, in order to enjoy the freedoms of a democratic country and the economic comforts that the first people during that first Merdeka did not enjoy, nor could they have imagined. Yes, Merdeka!
But what is Merdeka, when a young man and his friends, out for supper at a local stall, receive no service at all, and instead get hostile looks from the other patrons? What is Merdeka for a young boy who gets singled out and called all manner of terrible names by his teacher in front of his fellow young impressionable students, all because his skin colour is darker? What happens to Merdeka, when a student leader from one of our leading universities sends out a memo, vetted by the university’s student affairs department, telling one group of students that they should be prepared to stand against other students and fellow Malaysians?
I thought that Merdeka means freedom, freedom for individuals to have meals with fellow Malaysians without being distanced, freedom to learn and study in school under the care of his teacher. I thought Merdeka means freedom to fulfil our potentials as individuals for ourselves, our fellow Malaysians and our beloved country. So, what is Merdeka then?
I receive Merdeka when I receive kuih raya from family friends who are celebrating their religious festivity. I know Merdeka when my parents were invited to a wedding of someone of a different culture and religion, and where people mingled without thinking that they should avoid each other, and where the best photographer in town, a friend of the groom’s father, thought the couple look lovely together without thinking that they were different from him. I smell Merdeka when I smell all kinds of different styles of food prepared at various food stalls. I hear Merdeka when people who go to temples or churches stand alongside people who go to mosques during the Johor floods. I see Merdeka when two young innocent school children have no fears or worries of falling in love with each other, where two best friends think that the word ‘race’ is about fast cars and not the differences in their skin colour.
But, I had to pause to think again about Merdeka, where after extending a hand of kindness, I was asked incredulously whether I was of their race or another. It hurt slightly, but hurt it did. Because the answer to that question shouldn’t have mattered. Because they did not expect kindness from me, as I come from another race. I wondered about Merdeka when someone is called a traitor of his race by the university chancellor for thinking of inviting a meagrely small number of students of another race to study with fellow Malaysians of another race. I’m no longer sure that there is Merdeka when those painful racial incidents were reported in the papers over the past months. I do not know what has race anything to do with Merdeka, when people cheered together fifty one years ago without thinking of races.
But I do know this, that I will not allow those ugly incidents in the past and those that are likely to happen in the future, to make me retract my hand, because I will continue to extend my hand, in respect, in kindness and in love, to my fellow Malaysians.
Will you hold my hand then,my fellow Malaysian, and help keep Merdeka alive?
___________________________
Eugene Chua K.H. is both an idealist and pessimist. At present, he's working on his Masters research in American literature. I hear on the sweet grapewine he's also a poetic/prose critique of www.puisipoesy.blogspot.com. I think you should go dare in the steal of Seremban night...where dreaming reigns and idiosy is supreme and aloud -- YL, Desi, knottyaAsusual
Since I started wearing a new hat as Editor, CPI, on the Ides of March this year, I have given a higher priority to running 2008's ME Series there (dare if DDC is allowed there (but I shalt restrain as a sombreNURSE must take precedence over a prayfool wan danzing around wit' Mr DDC!:).
CPI is of course the Centre for Policy Initiatives headed by Dr Lim TeckGhee. I hope you do mark down in your diary the Official Launch of CPI Website -- at cpiasia.net and chinese.cpiasia.net -- on MONDAY September 8, 2008 from 2.30p-4.30pm at the KLSCAH. An official announcement will be made in the next day or two; Miss Patience is also your forte, eh?
Now ENJOY a picking from cpiasia.net while I leave for Koala Lumpuh to seek my fortune; a recent cokie foretold that I might reach that 20million chestfool of Ag, Au dan Pt very so-ON. Pehaps arriving at the Cineplex nearest my/your/OUR neighbourhood, served by THREE Y&A FACES of Zhang Ziyi like "Jasmine Women" of Furong in the times when it was truly a Peyton Place.
********
What is Merdeka?
Featured Themes
Written by Eugene Chua K.H.
Sunday, 31 August 2008 11:11
MERDEKA ESSAY: What is Merdeka?
By Eugene Chua K.H.
August 31, 2008
Merdeka! Merdeka! Merdeka! Merdeka! Merdeka! Merdeka! Merdeka! This resounding proclamation of joy rang out over the Merdeka stadium fifty one years ago, representing freedom and hope to all the people of Malaya, and subsequently Malaysia. What does this word mean today, after so many years? I think that Merdeka means that we get to call ourselves, Malaysians, a people with a nation of our own. Those of my generation are said to be unmindful of history, unappreciative of the sacrifices made, the struggles faced and overcome, in order to enjoy the freedoms of a democratic country and the economic comforts that the first people during that first Merdeka did not enjoy, nor could they have imagined. Yes, Merdeka!
But what is Merdeka, when a young man and his friends, out for supper at a local stall, receive no service at all, and instead get hostile looks from the other patrons? What is Merdeka for a young boy who gets singled out and called all manner of terrible names by his teacher in front of his fellow young impressionable students, all because his skin colour is darker? What happens to Merdeka, when a student leader from one of our leading universities sends out a memo, vetted by the university’s student affairs department, telling one group of students that they should be prepared to stand against other students and fellow Malaysians?
I thought that Merdeka means freedom, freedom for individuals to have meals with fellow Malaysians without being distanced, freedom to learn and study in school under the care of his teacher. I thought Merdeka means freedom to fulfil our potentials as individuals for ourselves, our fellow Malaysians and our beloved country. So, what is Merdeka then?
I receive Merdeka when I receive kuih raya from family friends who are celebrating their religious festivity. I know Merdeka when my parents were invited to a wedding of someone of a different culture and religion, and where people mingled without thinking that they should avoid each other, and where the best photographer in town, a friend of the groom’s father, thought the couple look lovely together without thinking that they were different from him. I smell Merdeka when I smell all kinds of different styles of food prepared at various food stalls. I hear Merdeka when people who go to temples or churches stand alongside people who go to mosques during the Johor floods. I see Merdeka when two young innocent school children have no fears or worries of falling in love with each other, where two best friends think that the word ‘race’ is about fast cars and not the differences in their skin colour.
But, I had to pause to think again about Merdeka, where after extending a hand of kindness, I was asked incredulously whether I was of their race or another. It hurt slightly, but hurt it did. Because the answer to that question shouldn’t have mattered. Because they did not expect kindness from me, as I come from another race. I wondered about Merdeka when someone is called a traitor of his race by the university chancellor for thinking of inviting a meagrely small number of students of another race to study with fellow Malaysians of another race. I’m no longer sure that there is Merdeka when those painful racial incidents were reported in the papers over the past months. I do not know what has race anything to do with Merdeka, when people cheered together fifty one years ago without thinking of races.
But I do know this, that I will not allow those ugly incidents in the past and those that are likely to happen in the future, to make me retract my hand, because I will continue to extend my hand, in respect, in kindness and in love, to my fellow Malaysians.
Will you hold my hand then,my fellow Malaysian, and help keep Merdeka alive?
___________________________
Eugene Chua K.H. is both an idealist and pessimist. At present, he's working on his Masters research in American literature. I hear on the sweet grapewine he's also a poetic/prose critique of www.puisipoesy.blogspot.com. I think you should go dare in the steal of Seremban night...where dreaming reigns and idiosy is supreme and aloud -- YL, Desi, knottyaAsusual
Monday, September 01, 2008
A New Merdeka Day Dawns (II)
Following are TWO REFERENCES for my thoughts Today in Malaysia which will follow after Hi-Tea (ie about 5.00pm), so bear with me. YOU HAVE BORNE WITH THE HALF-PAST-6 BN GOVERNMENT FOR 51 YEARS AND YET BREATHE, I GUESS BEARING WITH Half-Past-7 YL FOR ONE AFTERNOON WON'T BE CONSIDERED "OPPRESSION"! If some of my ER wanna sue me, I advise that you turn your telescopic sights to this Lawyer-Made-a-Fool-by-Dollah!:(
Foolish Wan!
Extracted from:
http://mt.m2day.org/2008/content/view/12010/84/
Blocking Access To Malaysia Today Website Is Not Censorship, Says Syed Hamid
Posted by kasee
Sunday, 31 August 2008 10:17
Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar has defended the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC)'s decision to block access to the Malaysia Today website, saying the move was not an act of censorship against the online portal.
Instead it was to prevent the abuse of cyberspace to circulate lies, he said.
"I think this is where we must know our boundary... there should be self-censorship and sense of responsibility.
"If you act beyond that, it leaves your authority with no choice... I think other countries have also taken some form of action," Syed Hamid said after attending the Kajang Prison pre-National Day celebration here Saturday.
Syed Hamid was asked to comment on former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's claim that the government had reneged on its promise not to censor the Internet.
Dr Mahathir, in his posting dated Aug 29 on his blog www.chedet.com, said that when a government made a promise and reneged on it, "then not only would the government lose credibility but also any respect the public may have for it."
Meanwhile, Syed Hamid said the RM5.4 billion allocation given to the police in the 2009 Budget would help the force to acquire new assets.
"I hope that when the government shows its empathy to the needs of members of the force, it will give them reason to work harder," he said.
Syed Hamid also hoped that the increase in the special incentive -- from RM100 to RM200 a month effective Jan 1 next year -- would spur the force to work hard to restore public confidence. - BERNAMA
+++++++
Mr DNA Bill rushing through Monkeys' House at rocket sped, second time around in one year!
Foolish Master Wan!
Also Cut&Paste from:
http://mt.m2day.org/2008/content/view/12051/84/
Malaysia pioneering use of DNA as a tool for political suppression?
Posted by Super Admin
Monday, 01 September 2008 10:44
While the US and UK crank up the drive for mass internment of identities in DNA databases, the government in Malaysia is being accused of focusing its DNA roundup on the political opposition.
While the US and UK crank up the drive for mass internment of identities in DNA databases (see "Homo Delinquens: The Race of Born Suspects" at http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2006/10/26/18323702.php), Malaysia is being accused of focusing its DNA roundup on the political opposition. Although the US and UK genetic dragnets have met only token opposition (lip service by the ACLU crowd), the Malaysian government's proposal for forced DNA sampling of all "suspects" hit opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim very personally - so he is leading a heated battle against the proposal.
Anwar was deputy premier and groomed by Malaysian and Western rulers to succeed the country's then-reigning patriarch, Dr. Mahathir. But after a bitter feud with Mahathir, Anwar was convicted of sodomy in 1998, following a graphic trial in which a mattress on which he was alleged to have had sex with his family driver was repeatedly produced in court. All homosexual sex is illegal in Malaysia, punishable (as "sodomy") by up to 20 years in jail if convicted. He was freed from jail in 2004 after a court quashed his sodomy conviction.
But now he faces new charges of sodomizing a 23-year-old male aide. Anwar has refused to give a DNA sample in the present sodomy case. His supporters fear if a sample is taken, it would be tampered with so as to incriminate him at his upcoming new trial. So hours after Anwar was sworn in to Parliament, following a landslide election victory that returned him to Parliament after ten years' absence, he led a walkout to protest the proposed legislation. He said that the opposition had demanded the setting up of a select committee to study the bill first.
"We have walked out because they have refused to respond" to the request, he said. "So there's no point in staying and participating in this debate."
During the debate, Anwar said:
"The government had tabled this Bill on Monday without giving the opportunity to the members of parliament, including our friends who are still on the other side, to study it. And it was tabled in haste.
"This Bill is agreed upon by rapacious politicians but opposed by all experts and non-governmental and human rights organisations....it is clear that the current government and cabinet are afraid of the people's voice," he said.
The Home Minister responded with the classic police state line:
"I don't think they (the opposition) should attribute a sinister motive to it. If there is a case in court and you are not guilty, why should you worry about this bill?"
The ruling coalition has a majority in parliament and the bill requires a simple majority to pass.
Perhaps the the US and UK opposition (if it exists) should be paying close attention to what's happening in Malaysia, and consider the possibility of it happening at home. http://www.indybay.org/
************************************
Continued @10.56PM because the Hi-Tea stretched into Dinner and edged slowly but surely towards Supper -- Ah, I told my ER DEsi is a capitalist during the wickends plus on holiday!:)
Yesterday, in my Introduction of this optimistic Essay, I began:
"...and for once after many miserable anniversaries, Desi is hopeful on the 51st birthday."
Marh 8, 2008 demonstrated a groundswell of the Rakyat's support for CHANGE. They responded eeadily and forcefull for CHANGE, reducing the BN's traditional overwhelming dominance in Parliament to less than two-thirds, for a historic first time in 12 General Elections since 1957, which saw the birth of Malaya on August 31st.
Auguts 16, 2008 demonstrated a re-affirmation that the Rakyat has nto changed its mind about its Quest4CHANGE, as the majority of 58,000 voters in Permatang Pauh spoke on our behalf.
The TWO REFERENCES above showed that the Barisan Nasional had not heard the messages sent up on March 8, thenn reiterated on August 26 -- by continuing its stubborn politics of OPPRESSION and DERELICTION OF DUTY TO THE RAKYAT.
It's caring Malaysians like Raja Petra Kamarudin who lead the fight against the BN government still trying to OPPRESS THE MINDS OF THE PEOPLE. This King of Bloggers stands as the vanguard against misguided BN leaders like Syed Hamid who believe they can intimidate the writers in cyberspace into silence by threats of imprisonment and multi-million ringgit suits. How wrong can some deluded UMNO leaders get? The Rakyat Today are well informed by online information channels like Malaysia Today and no more soul'd out by the propaganda churned out by the MSM editors-in-chief acting as echo-chambers to UMNO, MCA and MIC-key mouse, FOR A FEW MILLION DOLLARS MORE.
Giving credit where creit is due, indirectly we also give thanks to one fomrer PM, who unwittingy perhaps, for oce stood on the same side of a substantial sectio of the Rakyat. Quoting him from the news report, I am gratified by his stance reiterated about the Internet's independence from censorship as initiated by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad in promoting the MSC, where resides the Blogsphere, viz: "
Dr Mahathir, in his posting dated Aug 29 on his blog www.chedet.com, said that when a government made a promise and reneged on it, "then not only would the government lose credibility but also any respect the public may have for it."
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had in the 10-day campaign in Permatang Pauh fought on a theme of FREEDOM (MERDEKA) FROM OPPRESSION -- when the Rakyat live in fear of a dictatorial regime, climate of rising crime, and growing poverty as prices of fuel and food items continue to spiral. And the government coninues its orgy of wanton spending, waste, seepage and leakage, all because the current rime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has for five years government by PRONOUCEMENT OF GOOD INTENTIONS, AND SOME ADMONISHMENT OF WRONGDOINGS (WITH HARDLY ANY PUNITIVE ACTION!). So it'sno surprise that Public Enemy Number One -- CORRUPTION -- REMAINS ENTRENCHED BY THE UMNO CULTURE OF GRRED, MORE GREED, A GREED THAT NOWS NO BOUND.
And now in the party he leads, the PKR de facto leader, now Opposition Leader, Sdr Anwar Ibrahim, lies that glimmer of HOPE at the end of the tunnel.
On the haste with which the BN dominated Parliament tried to encircle Anwar Ibrahim after broke down the Permatang Pauh walls of oppression, with tabling the neww DNA Idenitification Billprecisely aimed at the PM-in-waiting when all else has failed, the protagonist said, vis:
"This Bill is agreed upon by rapacious politicians but opposed by all experts and non-governmental and human rights organisations....it is clear that the current government and cabinet are afraid of the people's voice," he said.
Yes, The People's Voice.
Your voice. OUR VOICE.
In whispered tone, Desi's Midnight Voice in Furong too.
Foolish Wan!
Extracted from:
http://mt.m2day.org/2008/content/view/12010/84/
Blocking Access To Malaysia Today Website Is Not Censorship, Says Syed Hamid
Posted by kasee
Sunday, 31 August 2008 10:17
Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar has defended the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC)'s decision to block access to the Malaysia Today website, saying the move was not an act of censorship against the online portal.
Instead it was to prevent the abuse of cyberspace to circulate lies, he said.
"I think this is where we must know our boundary... there should be self-censorship and sense of responsibility.
"If you act beyond that, it leaves your authority with no choice... I think other countries have also taken some form of action," Syed Hamid said after attending the Kajang Prison pre-National Day celebration here Saturday.
Syed Hamid was asked to comment on former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's claim that the government had reneged on its promise not to censor the Internet.
Dr Mahathir, in his posting dated Aug 29 on his blog www.chedet.com, said that when a government made a promise and reneged on it, "then not only would the government lose credibility but also any respect the public may have for it."
Meanwhile, Syed Hamid said the RM5.4 billion allocation given to the police in the 2009 Budget would help the force to acquire new assets.
"I hope that when the government shows its empathy to the needs of members of the force, it will give them reason to work harder," he said.
Syed Hamid also hoped that the increase in the special incentive -- from RM100 to RM200 a month effective Jan 1 next year -- would spur the force to work hard to restore public confidence. - BERNAMA
+++++++
Mr DNA Bill rushing through Monkeys' House at rocket sped, second time around in one year!
Foolish Master Wan!
Also Cut&Paste from:
http://mt.m2day.org/2008/content/view/12051/84/
Malaysia pioneering use of DNA as a tool for political suppression?
Posted by Super Admin
Monday, 01 September 2008 10:44
While the US and UK crank up the drive for mass internment of identities in DNA databases, the government in Malaysia is being accused of focusing its DNA roundup on the political opposition.
While the US and UK crank up the drive for mass internment of identities in DNA databases (see "Homo Delinquens: The Race of Born Suspects" at http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2006/10/26/18323702.php), Malaysia is being accused of focusing its DNA roundup on the political opposition. Although the US and UK genetic dragnets have met only token opposition (lip service by the ACLU crowd), the Malaysian government's proposal for forced DNA sampling of all "suspects" hit opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim very personally - so he is leading a heated battle against the proposal.
Anwar was deputy premier and groomed by Malaysian and Western rulers to succeed the country's then-reigning patriarch, Dr. Mahathir. But after a bitter feud with Mahathir, Anwar was convicted of sodomy in 1998, following a graphic trial in which a mattress on which he was alleged to have had sex with his family driver was repeatedly produced in court. All homosexual sex is illegal in Malaysia, punishable (as "sodomy") by up to 20 years in jail if convicted. He was freed from jail in 2004 after a court quashed his sodomy conviction.
But now he faces new charges of sodomizing a 23-year-old male aide. Anwar has refused to give a DNA sample in the present sodomy case. His supporters fear if a sample is taken, it would be tampered with so as to incriminate him at his upcoming new trial. So hours after Anwar was sworn in to Parliament, following a landslide election victory that returned him to Parliament after ten years' absence, he led a walkout to protest the proposed legislation. He said that the opposition had demanded the setting up of a select committee to study the bill first.
"We have walked out because they have refused to respond" to the request, he said. "So there's no point in staying and participating in this debate."
During the debate, Anwar said:
"The government had tabled this Bill on Monday without giving the opportunity to the members of parliament, including our friends who are still on the other side, to study it. And it was tabled in haste.
"This Bill is agreed upon by rapacious politicians but opposed by all experts and non-governmental and human rights organisations....it is clear that the current government and cabinet are afraid of the people's voice," he said.
The Home Minister responded with the classic police state line:
"I don't think they (the opposition) should attribute a sinister motive to it. If there is a case in court and you are not guilty, why should you worry about this bill?"
The ruling coalition has a majority in parliament and the bill requires a simple majority to pass.
Perhaps the the US and UK opposition (if it exists) should be paying close attention to what's happening in Malaysia, and consider the possibility of it happening at home. http://www.indybay.org/
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Continued @10.56PM because the Hi-Tea stretched into Dinner and edged slowly but surely towards Supper -- Ah, I told my ER DEsi is a capitalist during the wickends plus on holiday!:)
Yesterday, in my Introduction of this optimistic Essay, I began:
"...and for once after many miserable anniversaries, Desi is hopeful on the 51st birthday."
Marh 8, 2008 demonstrated a groundswell of the Rakyat's support for CHANGE. They responded eeadily and forcefull for CHANGE, reducing the BN's traditional overwhelming dominance in Parliament to less than two-thirds, for a historic first time in 12 General Elections since 1957, which saw the birth of Malaya on August 31st.
Auguts 16, 2008 demonstrated a re-affirmation that the Rakyat has nto changed its mind about its Quest4CHANGE, as the majority of 58,000 voters in Permatang Pauh spoke on our behalf.
The TWO REFERENCES above showed that the Barisan Nasional had not heard the messages sent up on March 8, thenn reiterated on August 26 -- by continuing its stubborn politics of OPPRESSION and DERELICTION OF DUTY TO THE RAKYAT.
It's caring Malaysians like Raja Petra Kamarudin who lead the fight against the BN government still trying to OPPRESS THE MINDS OF THE PEOPLE. This King of Bloggers stands as the vanguard against misguided BN leaders like Syed Hamid who believe they can intimidate the writers in cyberspace into silence by threats of imprisonment and multi-million ringgit suits. How wrong can some deluded UMNO leaders get? The Rakyat Today are well informed by online information channels like Malaysia Today and no more soul'd out by the propaganda churned out by the MSM editors-in-chief acting as echo-chambers to UMNO, MCA and MIC-key mouse, FOR A FEW MILLION DOLLARS MORE.
Giving credit where creit is due, indirectly we also give thanks to one fomrer PM, who unwittingy perhaps, for oce stood on the same side of a substantial sectio of the Rakyat. Quoting him from the news report, I am gratified by his stance reiterated about the Internet's independence from censorship as initiated by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad in promoting the MSC, where resides the Blogsphere, viz: "
Dr Mahathir, in his posting dated Aug 29 on his blog www.chedet.com, said that when a government made a promise and reneged on it, "then not only would the government lose credibility but also any respect the public may have for it."
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had in the 10-day campaign in Permatang Pauh fought on a theme of FREEDOM (MERDEKA) FROM OPPRESSION -- when the Rakyat live in fear of a dictatorial regime, climate of rising crime, and growing poverty as prices of fuel and food items continue to spiral. And the government coninues its orgy of wanton spending, waste, seepage and leakage, all because the current rime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has for five years government by PRONOUCEMENT OF GOOD INTENTIONS, AND SOME ADMONISHMENT OF WRONGDOINGS (WITH HARDLY ANY PUNITIVE ACTION!). So it'sno surprise that Public Enemy Number One -- CORRUPTION -- REMAINS ENTRENCHED BY THE UMNO CULTURE OF GRRED, MORE GREED, A GREED THAT NOWS NO BOUND.
And now in the party he leads, the PKR de facto leader, now Opposition Leader, Sdr Anwar Ibrahim, lies that glimmer of HOPE at the end of the tunnel.
On the haste with which the BN dominated Parliament tried to encircle Anwar Ibrahim after broke down the Permatang Pauh walls of oppression, with tabling the neww DNA Idenitification Billprecisely aimed at the PM-in-waiting when all else has failed, the protagonist said, vis:
"This Bill is agreed upon by rapacious politicians but opposed by all experts and non-governmental and human rights organisations....it is clear that the current government and cabinet are afraid of the people's voice," he said.
Yes, The People's Voice.
Your voice. OUR VOICE.
In whispered tone, Desi's Midnight Voice in Furong too.
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